Tag: Matthew 26
The clash of kingdoms
Scripture reading for February 5: Matthew 26
“But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” Then they spit in His face and struck Him. And some slapped Him, saying “Prophesy to us, You Christ! Who is it that struck you?”” Matthew 26:63-68
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came from the throne-room of heaven to do His Father’s will. He had faced every temptation and lure of the culture and His own flesh through the incarnation and becoming a man. Yet He came in humble obedience to His Father and knew that He would return to that position of power and glory that belonged to Him. He also knew He must face the cross and the false accusations of His own people and their mockery of His revelation of His Father and the demonstration of God’s love. Jesus was fully aware of the clash of the kingdoms in the spirit realm. Sinful man, under the domination of Satan, was mocking His Truth and Sonship. God the Father had declared His Sonship and victory over Satan and death through the cross.
Jesus Christ, during this mockery of a trial before the Jewish high priest, was asked mockingly if He was indeed the Son of God, the Christ. Jesus declared that they had said that. He went on to declare His coming victory over death and His resurrection to His rightful place at God’s right hand. He also declared His coming again with clouds of glory! Jesus declared truth as He was the Truth! Those trying Him rejected truth and believed their own darkened lie in spite of all evidence from the life of Jesus Christ and His ministry of miracles and prophecy. They mocked, spit, cursed, and slapped the Son of God and soon crucified Him. This was the clash of the kingdoms of heaven and Satan.
As you read this account, in what ways have you experienced this ‘clash of kingdoms’ in your own life? Is Jesus Christ the Son of God, or just another imposter? Are you ready to see Jesus coming on the clouds and to face Him on His judgment seat?
Prayer: Father, I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son. Thank You for mercy and favor. I am trusting in the victory that Jesus won for me, defeating Satan and saving me from the penalty of my sin–death and hell. Your kingdom come! Your will be done! On earth as in heaven! In me! Now and forever! Amen!
Watch and pray!
Scripture reading for February 5th: Matthew 26
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Matthew 26:39-41 “Going a little farther, He fell with His face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.” Then He turned to His disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with Me for one hour?” He asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
Jesus was in the most intense battle of His time on earth. He knew Satan’s temptation to disobey His Father’s will and the real human weaknesses of his own fleshly body. Jesus prayed with deep intensity to His Father for relief from the temptation and for strength to simply do His will. This would involve taking on Himself the sins of the world and suffering separation from His Father in a time of deep darkness.
He had simply asked His disciples (minus Judas) to watch and pray with Him for an hour. After wrestling for a time in prayer, He returned and found the disciples sleeping! What a disappointment this must have been! These were His friends and Jesus understood the temptations that were also coming their way in the very near future. Their only hope to avoid entering into these temptations would be with God’s help through watchful prayer! Sleep was not the right approach in this time of temptation!
Observations for over-comers: In these terrible times of the last days, it is more necessary than ever to be watching and praying for physical and spiritual strength against the devil’s temptations! “I slept but my heart was awake. Listen! My Lover is knocking: “Open to Me, My sister, My darling, My dove, My flawless one: My head is drenched with dew, My hair with the dampness of the night.”” (Song of Songs 5:2)
Jesus’ appointed time!
Scripture reading for February 5th: Matthew 26
“He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, “The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with My disciples at your house.”” (Matthew 26:18) Jesus did nothing by accident or chance. Every day of His life was as He saw the Father directing Him. He was aware of the mission that He must accomplish and the time that was rapidly approaching for His final act of sacrifice. He instructed His disciples to prepare for the Passover, His final one with them.
“And while they were eating, He said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray Me.”” (Matthew 26:21) Jesus knew His disciples and the one that would soon betray Him. All the disciples were sad and examined their hearts. Jesus warned them that it would be better to never have been born than to betray Him! As Judas asked if it was him, Jesus plainly told him “Yes, it is you.”
“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to His disciples saying, “Take and eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:26-28) As a visual lesson has greater impact, Jesus used the bread and the cup of grape juice to imprint on His followers the appointment He was soon to keep for their forgiveness! This visual meal has reminded all of His followers throughout time of what Jesus did for them. It also points us to His second coming at God’s appointed time for the greatest meal we will ever experience!