November 14, 2025

Today's Reading: Matthew 26:36-56

Daily Lectionary: Jeremiah 29:1-19; Revelation 14:1-20; Matthew 26:36-56

“Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?’” (Matthew 26:53-54) 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Jesus is praying, the disciples are sleeping, and Judas is coming, leading a great crowd carrying clubs and swords. It’s happening; the hour is at hand. It feels like a climactic scene from a Hollywood movie, heading to a final confrontation between the good guys and the bad. 

Jesus is not caught by surprise. He is in Gethsemane, praying fervently to his Father. He knows what is about to happen, and it is troubling his soul. Jesus prays, “Father, if possible, let this cup pass from me.” Yet, Jesus knows this is his mission; this is why he was born; this is his destiny, so he continues to pray, “Not as I will, but as you will.” 

The great crowd finally arrives with swords in hand. Peter draws his sword and draws first blood, cutting off the ear of the High Priest’s servant. Jesus charges Peter to put down his sword and says, “Do you not realize I can ask my Father and at once he will send more than twelve legions of angels?” 

60,000 angels! Yes, that’s what we want, don’t we? A cosmic battle between good and evil. Jesus with his sleepy disciples against a huge sword-wielding crowd, but now with an army of angels coming down to wipe all those bad guys out. That would make for a great movie, but it is not part of the script. The Scriptures must be fulfilled. God has a different ending in mind. 

The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. That’s how the scene plays out, and all is going according to plan. Fast forward to a Roman cross outside of Jerusalem on a dark Friday. Jesus might have been betrayed, arrested, tried, and crucified by sinners, but it is for sinners that Jesus traveled the road to his cross. He carried their sins, your sins, and the sins of the entire world and nailed them to the tree. The one who knew no sin became sin that we might become the righteousness of God. This is the Father’s will. This is what Jesus willingly endured, so that your life might have a beautiful climactic ending. Dressed in the robe of Christ’s salvation, you are welcomed into the glories of heaven by the angelic hosts of heaven and into the open arms of God your Father. Now that’s a movie worth seeing.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

“From heaven’s shining regions to greet me gladly come Your blessed angel legions to bid me welcome home.” (674:2)

Author: Rev. Darrin Sheek, pastor at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Anaheim, CA.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.

This new devotional resource by Carl Fickenscher walks you through each week’s readings, revealing thematic connections and helping you better understand what is to come in worship each Sunday.