Matthew 26

WEEK  2                                              Matthew 26

THURSDAY  Reflections

Jesus asked his disciples, "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?” (verses 53-54 NIV). Jesus knew what he faced, though hard and painful, it was worth the price. The lesson is this if we are followers of Christ, we, like him, may need to go through suffering and maybe even death to see God's will accomplished. A servant, as Jesus said, is not greater than his master.  

 Paul echoes this in 2 Corinthians 1:5-6 "For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer" (NIV). In other places, Paul again says his suffering is worth it to see others saved. 

There are 75 verses in Matthew 26 covering a lot of material. What grabs your heart today?

Mat 26:1-75

(1)  And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples,

(2)  Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.

(3)  Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,

(4)  And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.

(5)  But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.

(6)  Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,

(7)  There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.

(8)  But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?

(9)  For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.

(10)  When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.

(11)  For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.

(12)  For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.

(13)  Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.

(14)  Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,

(15)  And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.

(16)  And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

(17)  Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?

(18)  And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.

(19)  And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.

(20)  Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.

(21)  And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

(22)  And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?

(23)  And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.

(24)  The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.

(25)  Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.

(26)  And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

(27)  And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;

(28)  For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

(29)  But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.

(30)  And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

(31)  Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

(32)  But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.

(33)  Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.

(34)  Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

(35)  Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

(36)  Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.

(37)  And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

(38)  Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

(39)  And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

(40)  And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

(41)  Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

(42)  He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

(43)  And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.

(44)  And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

(45)  Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

(46)  Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.

(47)  And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.

(48)  Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.

(49)  And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.

(50)  And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.

(51)  And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.

(52)  Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

(53)  Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

(54)  But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

(55)  In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.

(56)  But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

(57)  And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.

(58)  But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.

(59)  Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;

(60)  But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,

(61)  And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.

(62)  And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?

(63)  But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.

(64)  Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

(65)  Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.

(66)  What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.

(67)  Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,

(68)  Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?

(69)  Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.

(70)  But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.

(71)  And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.

(72)  And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.

(73)  And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.

(74)  Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

(75)  And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

Psalm 96

WEEK  2                                                Psalm 96

WEDNESDAY  Reflections

Praise God with a new song! We don't always have to sing the old ones. When we realize how great God is we will want to tell the nation.

 

How great is God? Consider He made everything, yes everything. So let's praise God! Let's give God everything due to Him and since He made everything that means we need to give Him, everything.


Psa 96:1-13
(1)  O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.
(2)  Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.
(3)  Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.
(4)  For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.
(5)  For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.
(6)  Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
(7)  Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.
(8)  Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.
(9)  O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.
(10)  Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.
(11)  Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.
(12)  Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice
(13)  Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.

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Hosea 7

WEEK  2                                             Hosea 7

TUESDAY  Reflections

Verse 7 reminds Israel of their destination. The northern tribe of Israel had kings from many different lineages, some lasting only a short time. Yet, they always returned to disobeying God. There was never a king in the northern tribes that God called good or that called out to God.

 

I consider how often people think that if we just had a different leader, everything would be better, but this is foolish. Yes, leaders can change some things and sometimes bring amazing change, but if the people never change, there is only so much a leader can do. Besides this, we see no evidence that Israel truly en masse called out to God for godly leaders. They accepted regime change, but all they did was go from one disappointment to the next; none ever did what was "good in the sight of the Lord." 

Hos 7:1-16
(1)  When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim was discovered, and the wickedness of Samaria: for they commit falsehood; and the thief cometh in, and the troop of robbers spoileth without.
(2)  And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them about; they are before my face.
(3)  They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the princes with their lies.
(4)  They are all adulterers, as an oven heated by the baker, who ceaseth from raising after he hath kneaded the dough, until it be leavened.
(5)  In the day of our king the princes have made him sick with bottles of wine; he stretched out his hand with scorners.
(6)  For they have made ready their heart like an oven, whiles they lie in wait: their baker sleepeth all the night; in the morning it burneth as a flaming fire.
(7)  They are all hot as an oven, and have devoured their judges; all their kings are fallen: there is none among them that calleth unto me.
(8)  Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned.
(9)  Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not: yea, gray hairs are here and there upon him, yet he knoweth not.
(10)  And the pride of Israel testifieth to his face: and they do not return to the LORD their God, nor seek him for all this.
(11)  Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria.
(12)  When they shall go, I will spread my net upon them; I will bring them down as the fowls of the heaven; I will chastise them, as their congregation hath heard.
(13)  Woe unto them! for they have fled from me: destruction unto them! because they have transgressed against me: though I have redeemed them, yet they have spoken lies against me.
(14)  And they have not cried unto me with their heart, when they howled upon their beds: they assemble themselves for corn and wine, and they rebel against me.
(15)  Though I have bound and strengthened their arms, yet do they imagine mischief against me.
(16)  They return, but not to the most High: they are like a deceitful bow: their princes shall fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue: this shall be their derision in the land of Egypt.

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2 Kings 11

 WEEK  2                                            2 Kings 11

MONDAY  Reflections

Though Israel is seen as a patriarchal society, we see again and again powerful women emerge, rise to mighty positions, and do powerful deeds. Deborah in Judges, Jezebel, though wicked, was powerful, and now for six years a queen to reign over Judah and Jerusalem. Sadly, Queen Athaliah wasn’t good. She took power by murdering all the other heirs to the crown when her son died. 

 

I believe Jehoshaba and Jehoiada's actions weren’t to get a man on the throne but to get a ruler who would serve God. It is a shame that the first queen of Judah didn't follow God. She isn't bad because she became queen, but because of the method she uses to take the throne. We see no indications that she was turning to God. God isn't against women being in power, but as with everyone, what matters is how they got the power and how they live afterward. Queen Athaliah both started and ended poorly.

2Ki 11:1-21
(1)  And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal.
(2)  But Jehosheba, the daughter of king Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons which were slain; and they hid him, even him and his nurse, in the bedchamber from Athaliah, so that he was not slain.
(3)  And he was with her hid in the house of the LORD six years. And Athaliah did reign over the land.
(4)  And the seventh year Jehoiada sent and fetched the rulers over hundreds, with the captains and the guard, and brought them to him into the house of the LORD, and made a covenant with them, and took an oath of them in the house of the LORD, and shewed them the king's son.
(5)  And he commanded them, saying, This is the thing that ye shall do; A third part of you that enter in on the sabbath shall even be keepers of the watch of the king's house;
(6)  And a third part shall be at the gate of Sur; and a third part at the gate behind the guard: so shall ye keep the watch of the house, that it be not broken down.
(7)  And two parts of all you that go forth on the sabbath, even they shall keep the watch of the house of the LORD about the king.
(8)  And ye shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand: and he that cometh within the ranges, let him be slain: and be ye with the king as he goeth out and as he cometh in.
(9)  And the captains over the hundreds did according to all things that Jehoiada the priest commanded: and they took every man his men that were to come in on the sabbath, with them that should go out on the sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest.
(10)  And to the captains over hundreds did the priest give king David's spears and shields, that were in the temple of the LORD.
(11)  And the guard stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, round about the king, from the right corner of the temple to the left corner of the temple, along by the altar and the temple.
(12)  And he brought forth the king's son, and put the crown upon him, and gave him the testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, God save the king.
(13)  And when Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she came to the people into the temple of the LORD.
(14)  And when she looked, behold, the king stood by a pillar, as the manner was, and the princes and the trumpeters by the king, and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets: and Athaliah rent her clothes, and cried, Treason, Treason.
(15)  But Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of the hundreds, the officers of the host, and said unto them, Have her forth without the ranges: and him that followeth her kill with the sword. For the priest had said, Let her not be slain in the house of the LORD.
(16)  And they laid hands on her; and she went by the way by the which the horses came into the king's house: and there was she slain.
(17)  And Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they should be the LORD'S people; between the king also and the people.
(18)  And all the people of the land went into the house of Baal, and brake it down; his altars and his images brake they in pieces thoroughly, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest appointed officers over the house of the LORD.
(19)  And he took the rulers over hundreds, and the captains, and the guard, and all the people of the land; and they brought down the king from the house of the LORD, and came by the way of the gate of the guard to the king's house. And he sat on the throne of the kings.
(20)  And all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was in quiet: and they slew Athaliah with the sword beside the king's house.
(21)  Seven years old was Jehoash when he began to reign.

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Ezekiel 7

WEEK 1                                               Ezekiel 7

SATURDAY  Reflections

God is saying he is allowing Israel to face the consequences for what they have done. Undeserved things happen to people all the time. Jesus warned his followers of this, but this doesn't mean that God initiated it; if it comes from God, then you deserve it.

 

I note that God doesn't show pity on His holy places when judgment falls. God allows His temple to be defiled along with everyone else's stuff (verse 22). Considering the destruction God allows of His temple, God is demonstrating that even in destruction, God is with His people.

Eze 7:1-27
(1)  Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
(2)  Also, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD unto the land of Israel; An end, the end is come upon the four corners of the land.
(3)  Now is the end come upon thee, and I will send mine anger upon thee, and will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense upon thee all thine abominations.
(4)  And mine eye shall not spare thee, neither will I have pity: but I will recompense thy ways upon thee, and thine abominations shall be in the midst of thee: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
(5)  Thus saith the Lord GOD; An evil, an only evil, behold, is come.
(6)  An end is come, the end is come: it watcheth for thee; behold, it is come.
(7)  The morning is come unto thee, O thou that dwellest in the land: the time is come, the day of trouble is near, and not the sounding again of the mountains.
(8)  Now will I shortly pour out my fury upon thee, and accomplish mine anger upon thee: and I will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense thee for all thine abominations.
(9)  And mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: I will recompense thee according to thy ways and thine abominations that are in the midst of thee; and ye shall know that I am the LORD that smiteth.
(10)  Behold the day, behold, it is come: the morning is gone forth; the rod hath blossomed, pride hath budded.
(11)  Violence is risen up into a rod of wickedness: none of them shall remain, nor of their multitude, nor of any of theirs: neither shall there be wailing for them.
(12)  The time is come, the day draweth near: let not the buyer rejoice, nor the seller mourn: for wrath is upon all the multitude thereof.
(13)  For the seller shall not return to that which is sold, although they were yet alive: for the vision is touching the whole multitude thereof, which shall not return; neither shall any strengthen himself in the iniquity of his life.
(14)  They have blown the trumpet, even to make all ready; but none goeth to the battle: for my wrath is upon all the multitude thereof.
(15)  The sword is without, and the pestilence and the famine within: he that is in the field shall die with the sword; and he that is in the city, famine and pestilence shall devour him.
(16)  But they that escape of them shall escape, and shall be on the mountains like doves of the valleys, all of them mourning, every one for his iniquity.
(17)  All hands shall be feeble, and all knees shall be weak as water.
(18)  They shall also gird themselves with sackcloth, and horror shall cover them; and shame shall be upon all faces, and baldness upon all their heads.
(19)  They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity.
(20)  As for the beauty of his ornament, he set it in majesty: but they made the images of their abominations and of their detestable things therein: therefore have I set it far from them.
(21)  And I will give it into the hands of the strangers for a prey, and to the wicked of the earth for a spoil; and they shall pollute it.
(22)  My face will I turn also from them, and they shall pollute my secret place: for the robbers shall enter into it, and defile it.
(23)  Make a chain: for the land is full of bloody crimes, and the city is full of violence.
(24)  Wherefore I will bring the worst of the heathen, and they shall possess their houses: I will also make the pomp of the strong to cease; and their holy places shall be defiled.
(25)  Destruction cometh; and they shall seek peace, and there shall be none.
(26)  Mischief shall come upon mischief, and rumour shall be upon rumour; then shall they seek a vision of the prophet; but the law shall perish from the priest, and counsel from the ancients.
(27)  The king shall mourn, and the prince shall be clothed with desolation, and the hands of the people of the land shall be troubled: I will do unto them after their way, and according to their deserts will I judge them; and they shall know that I am the LORD.

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