<\/p>\n
John 18:1-2; Mark 14:32-42; Matthew 26:36-46; Luke 22:39-46; Mark 14:43-52; Matthew 26:47-56; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:3-24<\/strong><\/span> Matthew:<\/strong> Matthew 26:35 always stands out to me whenever I read it: \u201cNo!\u201d Peter insisted. \u201cNot even if I have to die with you! I will never deny you!\u201d And all the other disciples vowed the same.\u201d<\/em> I guess what jumps out at me in this verse is the question \u2013 are we really any different from Peter?\u00a0 Would we proclaim that we would not deny Jesus if you asked us straight up?\u00a0 Yes I think we would proclaim that.\u00a0 But then\u2026\u00a0 I get to thinking.\u00a0 \u00a0About how we live our life sometimes.\u00a0 About the decisions we make.\u00a0 About maybe even the bad habits we foreswore off when we were a new Christian.\u00a0 And yet\u2026\u00a0 do we still find ourselves going back to those bad habits \u2013 back to those sins?\u00a0 And, if we are doing this conscientiously \u2013 are we in a way denying Jesus when we knowingly sin now?\u00a0 Are we at times denying Jesus as our Lord by our actions?\u00a0 At times, are we really that different from Peter?<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video: <\/strong>Today\u2019s readings remind me of Switchfoot\u2019s song \u201cRestless:\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n
~ Click here to read today\u2019s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~<\/span><\/em>
~ Listen to today\u2019s Scripture with <\/em>The ESV Bible<\/em><\/span> ~<\/p>\n
The Garden of Gethsemane\u2026 verses 38 & 39 are heartbreaking: \u201cJesus told them, \u201cMy soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and watch with me.\u201d Jesus went on a little farther and fell face down on the ground, praying, \u201cMy Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine.\u201d\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Zondervan\u2019s commentary on these 2 verses really seemed to shake me up a bit about what Jesus did for us \u2013 and how we was not a typical martyr \u2013 \u201cJesus did not die serenely as many martyrs have.\u00a0 He was no mere martyr \u2013 he was the Lamb of God bearing the penalty of the sins of the entire human race.\u00a0 The wrath of God was turned loose on him.\u00a0 Only this can adequately explain what took place at Gethsemane.\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0The atonement was coming the next day.\u00a0 And Jesus knew it.\u00a0 And he prayed for God\u2019s will above all else.\u00a0 And God\u2019s will was done.\u00a0 And those who believe in Jesus as the Son of God must be so thankful for Jesus\u2019 fervent face down prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane\u2026\u00a0 Through Jesus\u2019 atoning death, we are saved from our sins.\u00a0 We are saved from God\u2019s wrath.\u00a0 I think it\u2019s really worth reflecting upon \u2013 Jesus took God\u2019s wrath in our place.\u00a0 Think this qualifies Jesus as Savior?\u00a0 Below is Italian painter Sebastiano Conca\u2019s beautiful \u201cChrist in the Garden of Gethsemane\u201d from the year 1746:<\/span><\/p>\n
In Matthew chapter 26 we read about Jesus\u2019 arrest.\u00a0 Below is reproduction of a 5th century mosaic of the infamous \u201cJudas Kiss\u201d:<\/span><\/p>\n
Verses 53 & 54 stood out to me today when Jesus says: \u201cDon\u2019t 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?\u201d\u201d\u00a0 <\/em>After praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was prepared for what must happen now\u2026\u00a0 Notice how prayer came before this confidence for Jesus of what must happen now.\u00a0 (and Jesus knew that he could call down angels for protection \u2013 but he knew he shouldn\u2019t)\u00a0 \u00a0Do you model Jesus\u2019 action of praying before embarking on a significant life decision or trial?\u00a0 Below is Jesus on trial before the Council:<\/span><\/p>\n