Covenant Grove Daily Devotionals

I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon, so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth. Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith: Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory.‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭14‬-‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead. They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten with thanks by faithful people who know the truth. Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer.‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Bible says that the Church is the household of God and the pillar of the truth (3:15). The Church is not a building or institution, it is the people, the family of God. Yet Paul was fighting false teaching in the church in Ephesus. The Church is full of people who make mistakes we dont need to pretend problems wont happen but deal with them in love, forgive each other, and move forward. The mistakes of people in the Church do not change Gods plan Christians need to be connected to the Body of Christ. We dont shop for a local church but commit to a local church family and work to build it up. We can leave a church because of false teaching, but we must always be part of a church. The predator hunts the ones isolated from the pack.

There are two ways we can stray from God: we can rebelliously sin, or we can be more obedient to rules than Jesus. Paul is warning us about the second style of sin, and it is one that is not talked about enough. These false teachers were much like the Pharisees, and they looked spiritual because they denied themselves of the good things God has given us to enjoy. They said sex, food, marriage, and even laughter were bad. This is not the Christian life; Jesus brings joy overflowing. Be on guard against this false teaching it is not the way of God.

How can you enjoy the good things God has given you today? How can you be a strong member of a local church?

This is a trustworthy saying: If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position. So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of Gods church? A church leader must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall. Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devils trap. In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money. They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience. Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons. In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do. A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well. Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Spiritual leaders are called to be examples of faith. All leadership is first about character not skills or getting things done. History has proven this lesson again and again. Paul gave a list of qualifications for overseers (like our paid clergy) and for deacons (helpers in the church).

What is so important in this powerful list of qualifications is that there is very little about skills, rsum, or personality. There is not a lot about job history and nothing about success as we typically define it. There is nothing about your family connections or getting the position because of who you know.

This list is about a persons character, shown in their past actions, that reveals they are ready to be seen as a leader and are someone who can be followed in faith. If you are a leader, you need to hold your life up to these verses and make sure you are living them out.

Christian leadership demands authenticity: Am I hospitable? Hard working? Honest and selfcontrolled? Do I put my family first? Do I love God more than money and getting my way? These are character issues that are forged in the fire of struggle, choices, and faithfulness during both the valleys and peaks of life. We can grow skills through hard work and practice, but character is formed through pain and choices, trusting in God through the low times, and staying loyal to God in times of temptation.

How is God growing your character right now? He just might be preparing you to lead in a whole new way. Leaders pay the price. How can you support spiritual leaders in your life?

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanitythe man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. And I have been chosen as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles this message about faith and truth. Im not exaggeratingjust telling the truth. In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy. And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes. For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do. Women should learn quietly and submissively. I do not let women teach men or have authority over them. Let them listen quietly. For God made Adam first, and afterward he made Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived by Satan. The woman was deceived, and sin was the result. But women will be saved through childbearing, assuming they continue to live in faith, love, holiness, and modesty.‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Paul sent Timothy to address the issue of false teaching, which underpin everything in this chapter. One foundational response to false teaching is prayer. We are called to pray for each other and for those in authority, recognizing that government is not the ultimate solution for humanityJesus is. Men are encouraged to pray with humility, free from any desire for power or position, living lives wholly devoted to Christ. Similarly, women are urged to focus on inner godliness, rather than being overly concerned with outward appearances. True beauty originates from within; a loving character is irresistible and cannot be manufactured through cosmetic means or fashion trends. Prayer serves to center our lives and prioritize what truly matters. It is our first line of defense against false teachings.

Paul also addressed the unique challenges faced by the Ephesian church, particularly the role of women in teaching. His instruction that Ephesian women should not teach Christian men does not imply that women should never teach. Instead, it highlights the importance of spiritual maturity and education among those who teach. In Acts 18:26, Priscilla and her husband demonstrated how women could teach effectively by instructing Apollos. In the Ephesian context, where false teaching proliferated and education for women was limited, Christianity elevated the status of women. However, during the early generations of the faith, few women had the preparation needed to lead as teachers. Additionally, in Ephesus, women were disrupting church services with numerous questions, and Paul sought to address this specific issue.

How do you understand these verses about prayer and learning for men and women? What universal truths are found in these verses that you can live out today?

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief. Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus. This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinnersand I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen. Timothy, my son, here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they help you fight well in the Lords battles. Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked. Hymenaeus and Alexander are two examples. I threw them out and handed them over to Satan so they might learn not to blaspheme God.‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭12‬-‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

How much patience should we have with sin in our own lives, and in the lives of those we love? Should we just not judge and let people do whatever they want? Paul was shown a lot of grace by God (vv.13-17) the Lord was patient with Paul, rescued him from his ignorance, and used him as an example of Gods love and patience. But Paul says that he disciplined Alexander and threw him out of church so that he would learn not to lie about God (v.20). Was Paul wrong in disciplining him?

Paul understood that grace doesn't mean tolerating false teachingit must be addressed. Gods love includes discipline, as seen when Paul was punished with scales on his eyes. As a leader, Paul disciplined others with strength and love to guide them back to Jesus. Confronting false teaching requires courage, humility, and reliance on Gods strength. Paul urged Timothy to confront with love and boldness, a challenge we also face today.

How can you live in grace yet confront sin and false teaching? How grateful are you to Jesus for His patience and salvation for you?

This letter is from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, appointed by the command of God our Savior and Christ Jesus, who gives us hope. I am writing to Timothy, my true son in the faith. May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace. When I left for Macedonia, I urged you to stay there in Ephesus and stop those whose teaching is contrary to the truth. Dont let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which dont help people live a life of faith in God. The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions. They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they dont know what they are talking about, even though they speak so confidently. We know that the law is good when used correctly. For the law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who kill their father or mother or commit other murders. The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or are slave traders, (editors note: some translations say: sodomite and kidnappers) liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God.‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It is important to finish what we started, and finish well. The last three letters of Paul (1-2 Timothy and Titus) are known as the Pastoral Epistles. They are personal letters written to pastors. In them Paul focuses on passing on his ministry and finishing his life well. At the end of Acts, Paul was under house arrest in Rome. Church history tells us he was released and (possibly) went to Spain as he had planned (Romans 15:24). After that trip, he returned to the churches he had planted in Macedonia and sent Timothy to Ephesus (Asia Minor) because of some false teaching that had grown there. Paul wanted to move into new regions and spread the gospel, but he needed to make sure that his work would not be undone by people who were twisting Gods Word because they wanted to feel like important teachers. Paul sent Timothy this letter to continue what he had started. He wanted to finish well.

The false teaching centered on hidden knowledge for the chosen few. Paul spoke against this, highlighting how people wasted time debating myths, hidden knowledge, and spiritual pedigrees. Knowing the hidden teaching made one more significant than others. But the truth of Christ is not hidden it has been revealed for all to see. Following Jesus does not lead to arrogance, but a pure heart and genuine faith. Even in Paul's day, people were taking the truth of Christianity and mixing it in with pride, selfishness, and excluding others. Unfortunately, this still happens today. The closer we draw to Christ, the more humble, gentle, and loving and strong we become.

What steps can you take to remain vigilant against false teachings, and why is this crucial? How can you ensure you stay committed to your faith and finish well?

As the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and told the leading priests what had happened. A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a large bribe. They told the soldiers, You must say, Jesus disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole his body. If the governor hears about it, well stand up for you so you wont get in trouble. So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say. Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today. Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped himbut some of them doubted! Jesus came and told his disciples, I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭11‬-‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The last two stories in the Gospel contrast each other and challenge each one of us. In the first story, the powers of the world worked to preserve their positions. The resurrection changes everythingthus, the powerful work to deny, ignore, andcover it up. The guardswho clearly knew the truthtook a bribe to perpetuate a lie. Some people chose to be trapped in their positions, power, and illusions.

In the second story Jesus Christ told His followers that He has ALL authority and power; He is the world's true Lord. He will always be with them, which gives them power and authority. They are to use this power not for prestige or position, but to tell the world that Jesus is Lord, to bring the world into a right relationship with Him, and join in on the mission of God in this world. This is called the Great Commission; it is not a suggestion. He is with us ALWAYS; there is nothing that can separate us from His love. Jesus is Lord; every follower of Jesus is commissioned to proclaim His victory and authority to every person and every nation. He is the King, and we are to make disciples who will be baptized and follow His teaching. He is alive! Join Him on His mission and tell the world!

What is holding you back from living out the Great Commission of Jesus? Jesus is with you! How can you use your power and position to share His truth with the world?

Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb. Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint. Then the angel spoke to the women. Dont be afraid! he said. I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isnt here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you. The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angels message. And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, Dont be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭1‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Fear is part of life, yet God calls us out of our fear and into a life of faith and following Him. The guards at the tombwhen they saw the angel and the stone rolled awaywere so afraid that they fainted! Yet the angel said, Do not be afraid. Don't be afraid! We are filled with worry, anxiety, and fear. Jesus has conquered sin, death, shame, injustice, and pain. He lives in us and He is stronger than the powers of darkness that make our lives miserable.

Do not be afraid! This is what Jesus said to usHe has conquered death! The Holy Spirit can work in us to take away our fear of death, loss, separation, insignificance, and every other thing. We are eternally secure in Him. We are called to join in His missionliving faithfully without fear in a world overcome with fear. The resurrection changes everything; it is the new world (with no fear) breaking into our world. New creation has begun, and we can begin to experience the life of eternity inside of ourselves now, as we surrender to the Spirits leading, draw close to the Father, and make a difference in this world with Jesus. Dont be afraid! We are resurrection people. Never forget that the same power that conquered the grave lives in you (Eph 1:19-20).

Honestly, what are your fears? How can you bring your fears to Jesus, experience His resurrection power, and overcome?

Along the way, they came across a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus cross. And they went out to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of the Skull). The soldiers gave Jesus wine mixed with bitter gall, but when he had tasted it, he refused to drink it. After they had nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. Then they sat around and kept guard as he hung there. A sign was fastened above Jesus head, announcing the charge against him. It read: This is Jesus, the King of the Jews. Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. Look at you now! they yelled at him. You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days. Well then, if you are the Son of God, save yourself and come down from the cross! The leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders also mocked Jesus. He saved others, they scoffed, but he cant save himself! So he is the King of Israel, is he? Let him come down from the cross right now, and we will believe in him! He trusted God, so let God rescue him now if he wants him! For he said, I am the Son of God. Even the revolutionaries who were crucified with him ridiculed him in the same way. At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three oclock. At about three oclock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani? which means My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah. One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink. But the rest said, Wait! Lets see whether Elijah comes to save him. Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. They left the cemetery after Jesus resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people. The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, This man truly was the Son of God! And many women who had come from Galilee with Jesus to care for him were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James and Joseph), and the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee. As evening approached, Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea who had become a follower of Jesus, went to Pilate and asked for Jesus body. And Pilate issued an order to release it to him. Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth. He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left. Both Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting across from the tomb and watching. The next day, on the Sabbath, the leading priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate. They told him, Sir, we remember what that deceiver once said while he was still alive: After three days I will rise from the dead. So we request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent his disciples from coming and stealing his body and then telling everyone he was raised from the dead! If that happens, well be worse off than we were at first. Pilate replied, Take guards and secure it the best you can. So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it.‭‭Matthew‬ ‭27‬:‭32‬-‭66‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Tune out opinions and focus on the Lord. Jesus was nailed to the cross, publicly and slowly dying of exhaustion, exposure, and asphyxiation. He was in horrible pain, yet He was not given the dignity of suffering in silence. Instead, soldiers mocked Him, religious leaders insulted Him, the crowd shouted at Him, and even the robbers pestered Him. He did not focus on any of them; He focused on the Father. He brought His pain and suffering to the face of God: why have You forsaken me? He was quoting Psalm 22, wrestling with God in agony because He had taken upon Himself the sin of the world. His sacrifice tore the curtain of separation betweenGod and humans, so that even the ones who caused His pain (like the centurion) could come to trust in Him.

Faith doesn't mean we don't cry out. We do not suffer alone; God understands our suffering and He suffers with us. We can never say that Jesus doesnt understand our suffering; we pray to One who suffered for us and still suffers with us. Hear His voice! Tune out the voices of blame, doubt, regret, shame, and insulteven if those voices are your own. Focus on the Lord. He gave His life for you and He will never, ever abandon you.

Describe what the sacrifice of Jesus means to you. How can you focus on the voice of Godeven when you are struggling?

Very early in the morning the leading priests and the elders of the people met again to lay plans for putting Jesus to death. Then they bound him, led him away, and took him to Pilate, the Roman governor. 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. I have sinned, he declared, for I have betrayed an innocent man. What do we care? they retorted. Thats your problem. Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself. The leading priests picked up the coins. It wouldnt be right to put this money in the Temple treasury, they said, since it was payment for murder. After some discussion they finally decided to buy the potters field, and they made it into a cemetery for foreigners. That is why the field is still called the Field of Blood. 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, and purchased the potters field, as the Lord directed. Now Jesus was standing before Pilate, the Roman governor. Are you the king of the Jews? the governor asked him. Jesus replied, You have said it. But when the leading priests and the elders made their accusations against him, Jesus remained silent. Dont you hear all these charges they are bringing against you? Pilate demanded. But Jesus made no response to any of the charges, much to the governors surprise. Now it was the governors custom each year during the Passover celebration to release one prisoner to the crowdanyone they wanted. This year there was a notorious prisoner, a man named Barabbas. As the crowds gathered before Pilates house that morning, he asked them, Which one do you want me to release to youBarabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah? (He knew very well that the religious leaders had arrested Jesus out of envy.) Just then, as Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: Leave that innocent man alone. I suffered through a terrible nightmare about him last night. Meanwhile, the leading priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be put to death. So the governor asked again, Which of these two do you want me to release to you? The crowd shouted back, Barabbas! Pilate responded, Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah? They shouted back, Crucify him! Why? Pilate demanded. What crime has he committed? But the mob roared even louder, Crucify him! Pilate saw that he wasnt getting anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, I am innocent of this mans blood. The responsibility is yours! And all the people yelled back, We will take responsibility for his deathwe and our children! So Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified. Some of the governors soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire regiment. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, Hail! King of the Jews! And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and struck him on the head with it. When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.‭‭Matthew‬ ‭27‬:‭1‬-‭31‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Passion of the Messiah includes the suffering of Jesus, beginning with the Last Supper. Our Savior suffered and died for our sinsfrom the emotional toll, to the betrayal, to being abandoned and denied, to false trials and beatings, to being spit in the face, whipped, carrying the cross, crowned with thorns, nailed to a cross, and crucified. Jesus suffered horrifically. It was not the pain that takes away our sin, it is His life, His willing sacrifice in love.

There are a lot of characters in these verses. Judas killed himself, filled with regret for betraying his friend and Savior, yet he was unwilling to go to Jesus and be forgiven. Barabbas was mercifully released, but we don't know if he ever really changed. The soldiers cruelly beat and mocked Christ, never asking if He really was the King. The religious leaders used their power to condemn an innocent man, but they felt no remorse. Pilate had the power to release Christ, but he refused to do the right thing. Jesus confronted the systems of injustice head on. He did not fight with the power of this world but sacrificed Himself in love. This is the power of the Kingdom, and it works even today. Too often those who fight against corruption are themselves corrupted. Even in our fight against injustice, untruth, and sinGod is still working on our character, making us more like Jesus.

How can you thank Jesus today for His sacrifice for you? How can you allow Jesus to transform your character to become more like His?

Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, Sit here while I go over there to pray. He took Peter and Zebedees two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. He told them, My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me. He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine. Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, Couldnt you watch with me even one hour? Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak! Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done. When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldnt keep their eyes open. So he went to pray a third time, saying the same things again. Then he came to the disciples and said, Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But lookthe time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Up, lets be going. Look, my betrayer is here! And even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests and elders of the people. The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss. So Judas came straight to Jesus. Greetings, Rabbi! he exclaimed and gave him the kiss. Jesus said, My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for. Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him. But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priests slave, slashing off his ear. Put away your sword, Jesus told him. Those who use the sword will die by the sword. Dont you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now? Then Jesus said to the crowd, Am I some dangerous revolutionary, that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? Why didnt you arrest me in the Temple? I was there teaching every day. But this is all happening to fulfill the words of the prophets as recorded in the Scriptures. At that point, all the disciples deserted him and fled. Then the people who had arrested Jesus led him to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of religious law and the elders had gathered. Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and came to the high priests courtyard. He went in and sat with the guards and waited to see how it would all end. 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. But even though they found many who agreed to give false witness, they could not use anyones testimony. Finally, two men came forward who declared, This man said, I am able to destroy the Temple of God and rebuild it in three days. Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, Well, arent you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself? But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to him, I demand in the name of the living Godtell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God. Jesus replied, You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at Gods right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven. 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. What is your verdict? Guilty! they shouted. He deserves to die! Then they began to spit in Jesus face and beat him with their fists. And some slapped him, jeering, Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who hit you that time? 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. But Peter denied it in front of everyone. I dont know what youre talking about, he said. Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, This man was with Jesus of Nazareth. Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. I dont even know the man, he said. 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. Peter swore, A curse on me if Im lyingI dont know the man! And immediately the rooster crowed. Suddenly, Jesus words flashed through Peters mind: Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me. And he went away, weeping bitterly.‭‭Matthew‬ ‭26‬:‭36‬-‭75‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We are not as strong as we think we are. Jesus asked His friends to stay awake and pray for Him, but their bodies were just too tired (perhaps with sorrow). Judas betrayed the Lord with a kiss, yet Jesus still called him friend. One of the disciples (Peter) drew his sword and tried to fight, misunderstanding the moment, Jesus power, and his role. The discipleswho had claimed to be willing to die with Christall fled into the night, abandoning Jesus out of fear. Peter returned out of love for Jesus but denied Him three times; he went away weeping bitterly. This was a turning point in his life because he had to confront the reality of his own weakness. God knows our weaknesses more than we do, and He still loves us.

Jesus is the Judge of the world (Matthew 25:31ff), yet He was put on trial by religious leaders, political powers, and the fury of the mob. In these verses, the religious leaders plotted, broke their own laws, mocked an innocent man, and refused to see the fulfillment of prophecy standing in their midst. Through it all, Christ stood majestic, declaring the truth of who He is. He came to die for sin, and it was sin that sent Him to His death. Jesus is still on trial today. People make mistakes and blame God for their consequences. We make a mess then blame the Father for allowing us the freedom to choose. We claim God cant be good if we have done so much evil. He is the Judge, yet we put Him on trial.

How has Jesus made you aware of your weakness, stubbornness, wrong reactions, or fear? In what ways is Jesus still on trial today? How can you be a witness for Him?