Category - Devotionals

4/02                 Matthew 27:3-10 

When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders.  4 “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.” “What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.” 5 Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself. 6 The leading priests picked up the coins. “It wouldn’t be right to put this money in the Temple treasury,” they said, “since it was payment for murder.”  7After some discussion they finally decided to buy the potter’s field, and they made it into a cemetery for foreigners. 8 That is why the field is still called the Field of Blood. 9 This fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah that says, “They took the thirty pieces of silver— the price at which he was valued by the people of Israel, 10 and purchased the potter’s field, as the LORD directed. ” 

PROPHECY

Jeremiah prophesied this very act about 600 years ago.  God knew what was going on.  He always knows what is going on and out of what we call darkness the Lord speaks.  He knows all things and uses all things for His purpose.  There is a day coming when this vary same Jesus will return in judgment.  Stand fast.  Let the characters of darkness go their way but you follow the Lord.  

4/01                 Matthew 27:1-2 

Very early in the morning the leading priests and the elders of the people met again to lay plans for putting Jesus to death. 2 Then they bound him, led him away, and took him to Pilate, the Roman governor. 

CONTINUES

Evil continues and continues.  The drama is disgusting.  Those who operate in darkness think they are destroying the light.  They find their actions to be right and they are totally wrong.  Evil controls the moment and yet is playing right into God’s hands.  Christ will suffer and bleed for us.  The darkness of sin is overwhelming.  But the dawn will come and come soon.  

3/31                 Matthew 26:75 

Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly.

FAILURE

Failure destroys us.  It abuses us.  But what we need to do is to take our failure to Jesus and let Him show us how to succeed.  Stay away from the negativity of life and let Christ guide you in the positive way to go.  Jesus is Lord and He loves you.  

3/30                 Matthew 26:73-74 

A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, “You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent.” 74 Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know the man!” And immediately the rooster crowed. 

FEAR

Fear is a loathsome mistress.  It takes us farther away than we ever thought we would go and dumps at the place where we feel totally unusable.  Go to Jesus with your sin, whatever it is and He will reconcile your life.  Christ is King.  He has won the victory.  Go to Him. 

3/29                 Matthew 26:71-72 

Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth. ”  72 Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. “I don’t even know the man,” he said. 

CAUGHT

Peter is caught by his own words.  We too get caught by our own words.  We lie.  We sin.  We walk our own way.  Christ is calling us to surrender.  Walk with Him.  Read His Word.  Claim its promises.  Remember its directives.  Do what Jesus says.  When you mess up go to Jesus, confess, read, pray, do and keep doing.  

3/28                 Matthew 26:69-70 

Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him, “You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But Peter denied it in front of everyone. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said. 

OOPS

Ooops-we boast of what we are going to do and find in a pinch most often we fail to perform.  This is sin.  We do it and do it and yet Jesus forgives our sin.  Don’t walk away from the Lord when you mess up-run to Him.  He will forgive and set you on the right course.  Obedience is learned at the side of Jesus.  Spend time with Him and you will discover the power you need to obey.  

3/27                 Matthew 26:65-68 

Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Blasphemy! Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your verdict?” “Guilty!” they shouted. “He deserves to die!” 67 Then they began to spit in Jesus’ face and beat him with their fists. And some slapped him, 68 jeering, “Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who hit you that time?” 

WINS

Evil thinks it wins.  It is destroying the King of the Universe.  The Son of God.  Yet it’s win is for God because out of the destruction of the death of Jesus on the Cross, victory for you and me is born.  Jesus is Lord.  He is alive today and seated at the right hand of the Father and He is here with each one of us bringing victory into our lives.  Jesus is Lord.  

3/26                 Matthew 26:64 

Jesus replied, “You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 

PROCLAMATION

Jesus is coming back in judgment.  Everyone will know it when He does.  Jesus is coming soon.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart.  Jesus loves you.  

3/25                 Matthew 26:62-63 

Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Well, aren’t you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?” 63 But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I demand in the name of the living God—tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” 

ASKED

The high priest asked Jesus something he didn’t believe.  Jesus knew this.  When in the presence of unbelievers, we often say nothing.  Jesus knew what was going on and he knew that anything he said would be ridiculed.  Why waste their time?  

3/24                 Matthew 26:58-61 

Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and came to the high priest’s courtyard. He went in and sat with the guards and waited to see how it would all end. 59 Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find witnesses who would lie about Jesus, so they could put him to death. 60 But even though they found many who agreed to give false witness, they could not use anyone’s testimony. Finally, two men came forward 61 who declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the Temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’” 

TRAVESTY

The trial of Jesus was a travesty.  So much like the way we often treat others.  It is a travesty the way we treat our children, out mates, our friends and our enemies.  People count with Jesus.  The man answered, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Lk 10:27