READ:
Matthew 27
We don’t know all of Judas’ motivations for betraying Jesus. There are
hints in the gospels that greed was a primary motivator. Whatever the reason,
the pathway He chooses leads to the destruction of His life. Galatians 6:7
speaks of reaping what we sow. As we walk through the life and teachings of
Jesus, we meet many people who either respond well to Jesus or who utterly
fail. We too have choices that set a course for our future. God often leaves
the story of people who have failed in the Bible to serve as warnings for us.
Judas’ end should provide us with a desire to develop a healthy fear of the
Lord. Psalm 86:11 comes to mind, “teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in
your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.”
The mockery, viciousness and harshness with which Jesus is treated by
Pilate, the soldiers and the crowd is so sad. We want to stand up and say, “how
dare they!” However, it is good to ask – “what would I have done?” We believe
that the Bible spurs us on to ask this question, how we would’ve acted. It
pushes us to move to another question – “what will I do?” Right to the end we see that Jesus is faithful.
Prophecy is being fulfilled powerfully through each step of the story we’re
being told.
It is really good to carefully work through a chapter such as this,
reading it again and again. We learn so much about Jesus, about the reaction He
can cause from His opponents and the devotion of true followers – such as the
women who followed Him right to the foot of the cross. We are often in a rush
as we move through God’s Word, but whether we are meditative or not, it is
spiritually vital that we pause once in a while and enter into what is recorded
in our Bibles. We can even ask – “God, why did you put this in here?”
Chapter 27 concludes with great sadness. To many, it likely seemed as if
things were over. It probably felt like there was no hope left. Do you ever
feel that way? Brothers and sisters, soon we will see a resurrection!
JOURNALING
AND PRAYER
1.
Read over Psalm 86:11, which is in the text of this devotional. Spend
some time praying this psalm. Pour out your heart to God! Perhaps try praying
on your knees, if this is not your normal practice.
2.
Read over chapter 27 again. It takes great discipline, especially in our
instant gratification culture. However, this IS the greatest story ever told.
Write down your favorite verses, the verses that hit you the hardest.
3.
Is there an area of life where you feel no hope? Does it seem like
something – a dream, a plan – has died? Speak to God about this and tell Him
how you feel. He wants to hear our pain!
