Daily Bread 2011 - Matthew 26
Daily Bread 2011 – Monday, February 7th, 2011 – Matthew 26:31-35
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
31 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” 33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” 34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” 35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.
What Does This Mean?
Chapter 25 marked the end of Jesus’ teaching and preaching ministry. Jesus begins to transition from teaching and preaching to go to the cross. This is Passover time, when an estimated 250,000 lambs would be slaughtered in commemoration of the Passover reflecting the Exodus from Egyptian slavery. Jesus begins to connect the shedding of the innocent blood of the lambs, with his own impending sacrifice.
As he begins to explain this to his disciples there are different reactions. The scheming Judas begins to plan to betray him for 30 pieces of silver, a very small amount of money considering who he was betraying. Jesus didn’t meet Judas expectation to set up an earthly kingdom in a manner consistent with his agenda, so he sold him out.
Peter meanwhile vows to never betray Jesus, but at the end of the chapter as Jesus predicted, Peter was no better than Judas. Yet Jesus loves Peter and will eventually restore him. Jesus knew Peter would betray him and in fact in the above passage says, “You will all fall away on account of me.”
What Does This Mean For Us?
It is easy to point the finger at Judas and say, “How could you? You are the lowest of the low!” But the reality is in subtle ways, we all “sell out” Jesus. None of follows him perfectly and we often choose self preservation (which is what Peter did), over self sacrifice.
In the end, the woman with the expensive perfume/ointment who anointed Jesus’ head and feet (we know from John’s gospel this is Mary the sister of Martha), was the only disciple to give Jesus the proper response. Her worship was costly and selfless and the disciples (mainly Judas) rebuked her by saying that the money could have been given to the poor.
How have you denied Jesus lately? Just as Jesus forgave and restored Peter, he restores us. Peter went to become of the greatest ambassadors for Jesus the world has ever seen. As we are restored we can go in peace and serve the Lord!
Jesus, forgive us for denying you and not taking up our cross when the chips are down. Restore us so we can go out and feed your sheep like Peter did. Amen.
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
31 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” 33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” 34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” 35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.
What Does This Mean?
Chapter 25 marked the end of Jesus’ teaching and preaching ministry. Jesus begins to transition from teaching and preaching to go to the cross. This is Passover time, when an estimated 250,000 lambs would be slaughtered in commemoration of the Passover reflecting the Exodus from Egyptian slavery. Jesus begins to connect the shedding of the innocent blood of the lambs, with his own impending sacrifice.
As he begins to explain this to his disciples there are different reactions. The scheming Judas begins to plan to betray him for 30 pieces of silver, a very small amount of money considering who he was betraying. Jesus didn’t meet Judas expectation to set up an earthly kingdom in a manner consistent with his agenda, so he sold him out.
Peter meanwhile vows to never betray Jesus, but at the end of the chapter as Jesus predicted, Peter was no better than Judas. Yet Jesus loves Peter and will eventually restore him. Jesus knew Peter would betray him and in fact in the above passage says, “You will all fall away on account of me.”
What Does This Mean For Us?
It is easy to point the finger at Judas and say, “How could you? You are the lowest of the low!” But the reality is in subtle ways, we all “sell out” Jesus. None of follows him perfectly and we often choose self preservation (which is what Peter did), over self sacrifice.
In the end, the woman with the expensive perfume/ointment who anointed Jesus’ head and feet (we know from John’s gospel this is Mary the sister of Martha), was the only disciple to give Jesus the proper response. Her worship was costly and selfless and the disciples (mainly Judas) rebuked her by saying that the money could have been given to the poor.
How have you denied Jesus lately? Just as Jesus forgave and restored Peter, he restores us. Peter went to become of the greatest ambassadors for Jesus the world has ever seen. As we are restored we can go in peace and serve the Lord!
Jesus, forgive us for denying you and not taking up our cross when the chips are down. Restore us so we can go out and feed your sheep like Peter did. Amen.
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