Key Thought

As I read this, I can't help but think of the horrible mocking and abuse that Jesus took! But Matthew let us see from the outset that the religious power base would not use their knowledge of Scripture to find the Messiah, but instead would use their knowledge to try to exterminate him. Jesus, from the moment of his birth, was a threat to the religious powers in control. He was God's Son, his Chosen One, his Anointed, his King. Because of this, everyone who held a position of authority and status was threatened. Jesus brought a Kingdom that was different. He preached that the last would be first and the first would be last. This would not go unnoticed by those who were first. Jesus' lack of response to the mocking, insults, and abuse are not a sign of weakness, but of his infuriating power to those pretending to be powerful. But he promises that they will know his power when he comes again. This time, the angels he could have called now, will be with him then. There will be no denying, no escaping, and no avoiding. They will bow and name him King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He will no longer be suffering Messiah, nor servant Messiah, he will be the conquering Son of God, Messiah!

Today's Prayer

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Dear Father of mercy, thank you for your grace for me in Jesus. Thank you, Jesus, for bearing the shame and mockery. Thank you for showing your character when those who opposed you lost theirs. But most of all, thank you for remaining true to mission even though you lived your whole life in the shadow of the cross. I embrace your cross and your shame and proudly proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord. In your name I offer my praise. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

The men that arrested Jesus led him to the house of Caiaphas the high priest. The teachers of the law and the older Jewish leaders were gathered there. Peter followed Jesus, but he did not come near Jesus. Peter followed Jesus to the yard of the high priest's house. He went in and sat with the guards. Peter wanted to see what would happen to Jesus. The leading priests and the Jewish council tried to find something against Jesus so that they could kill him. They tried to find people to lie and say that Jesus had done wrong. Many people came and told false things about Jesus. But the council could find no real reason to kill Jesus. Then two people came and said, "This man (Jesus) said, 'I can destroy the temple of God and build it again in three days.'" Then the high priest stood and said to Jesus, "These people have said things against you. Do you have something to say about these charges against you? Are these people telling the truth?" But Jesus said nothing. Again the high priest said to Jesus, "You are now under oath. I command you by the power of the living God to tell us the truth. Tell us, are you the Christ, the Son of God?" Jesus answered, "Yes, I am. But I tell you, in the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right side of God. And you will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven." When the high priest heard this, {he was very angry}. He tore his clothes and said, "This man has said things that are against God! We don't need any more witnesses. You all heard him say these things against God. What do you think?" The Jewish leaders answered, "He is guilty, and he must die." Then they spit in Jesus' face. And they hit him with their fists. Other people slapped Jesus. They said, "Show us that you are a prophet, Christ ! Tell us who hit you!" At that time, Peter was sitting in the yard. A servant girl came to Peter. The girl said, "You were with Jesus, that man from Galilee." But Peter said that he was never with Jesus. He said this to allthe people there. Peter said, "I don't know what you are talking about." Then Peter left the yard. At the gate, another girl saw him. The girl said to the people there, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth." Again, Peter said that he was never with Jesus. Peter said, "I promise to God that I don't know this man Jesus!" A short time later, some people standing there went to Peter and said, "We know you are one of those men that followed Jesus. We know this because of the way you talk." Then Peter began to curse. He said strongly, "I promise to God that I don't know this man Jesus!" After Peter said this, a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had told him: "Before the rooster crows, you will say three times that you don't know me." Then Peter went outside and cried bitterly.

— Matthew 26:57-75 (ERV)

Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.