Matthew 26:10 Out of extravagant love, this woman did something wonderfully significant for Jesus. How could she have known it would be so significant to Him? Wonderfully significant! It was done out of gratitude. And out of the extravagance of her pocketbook and heart. It was worth a year in wages for that day. A lot of money poured out. Did Jesus care how much money she spent on Him? May we live out of extravagant Love this day doing something significant for Him. Wonder what that could be? Maybe forgiving someone. Maybe giving what??? I don't know. What does it mean for me to follow Him today? I'm kind of between a rock and a hard place but may I be more concerned with loving God and loving people. Do you love Me more than the money in your pocketbook?
Matthew 26:34 "Don't be so sure," Jesus said. "This very night, before the rooster crows up the dawn, you will deny me three times, Peter." Do you love Me more than playing it safe with your own life?
Matthew 26:35 Peter protested, "Even if I had to die with you, I would never deny you." All the others said the same thing. Do you love Me more than keeping a good reputation?
Matthew 26:41 "There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there's another part that's as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire." Stay alert; be in prayer. They couldn't stay awake to pray with Jesus! Do you love Me more than protecting your sleep time? Even Jesus in 26:44 went back the third time to pray...do I go back 3 times???
Matthew 26:50 Jesus said, "Judas, my friend, why this charade?" And the disciples cut off the ear of the Chief Priest. Do you love Me more than holding on to your own anger and control of situations?
Then all the disciples cut and ran. Do you love Me more than running in your fear?
Matthew 26:69 Peter slipped in and mingled with the servants, watching to see how things would turn out for Jesus. All this time, Peter was sitting out in the courtyard. A servant girl confronted Peter and he denied knowing Jesus. Do you love Me, Peter, more than playing it safe?
Matthew 26:71 As Peter moved toward the gate, someone else confronted him and he denied ever laying eyes on Jesus. Do you love Me, Peter, more than your life?
Matthew 26:73 Bystanders approached Peter---your accent gives you away! Peter swears he doesn't know the Christ. And a rooster crows. And Peter remembers! Do you love Me, Peter? Peter went out and cried and cried and cried.
Followers of Christ in this chapter knew so little surrender. They cut off ears; they fell asleep in prayer; they denied even knowing Jesus. What do I want more than the Love of my Christ? His Words ring in my ears this day: Do you love Me?
Matthew 26:34 "Don't be so sure," Jesus said. "This very night, before the rooster crows up the dawn, you will deny me three times, Peter." Do you love Me more than playing it safe with your own life?
Matthew 26:35 Peter protested, "Even if I had to die with you, I would never deny you." All the others said the same thing. Do you love Me more than keeping a good reputation?
Matthew 26:41 "There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there's another part that's as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire." Stay alert; be in prayer. They couldn't stay awake to pray with Jesus! Do you love Me more than protecting your sleep time? Even Jesus in 26:44 went back the third time to pray...do I go back 3 times???
Matthew 26:50 Jesus said, "Judas, my friend, why this charade?" And the disciples cut off the ear of the Chief Priest. Do you love Me more than holding on to your own anger and control of situations?
Then all the disciples cut and ran. Do you love Me more than running in your fear?
Matthew 26:69 Peter slipped in and mingled with the servants, watching to see how things would turn out for Jesus. All this time, Peter was sitting out in the courtyard. A servant girl confronted Peter and he denied knowing Jesus. Do you love Me, Peter, more than playing it safe?
Matthew 26:71 As Peter moved toward the gate, someone else confronted him and he denied ever laying eyes on Jesus. Do you love Me, Peter, more than your life?
Matthew 26:73 Bystanders approached Peter---your accent gives you away! Peter swears he doesn't know the Christ. And a rooster crows. And Peter remembers! Do you love Me, Peter? Peter went out and cried and cried and cried.
Followers of Christ in this chapter knew so little surrender. They cut off ears; they fell asleep in prayer; they denied even knowing Jesus. What do I want more than the Love of my Christ? His Words ring in my ears this day: Do you love Me?
PHOTO: The Word of God. Speak. Listen. Attach to His Word not to any man or any thing.
Peter remembered what Jesus had said: "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." He went out and cried and cried and cried.
ReplyDeleteActions speak louder than words. The wonan didn't need to speak; through action, her sacrificial gift to Jesus affirmed her devotion. Peter was all talk, when it came time to stand up for his faith, he fell short, then had such regret!
The Extravagant love Jesus has shown for me deserves recognition. How will my actions speak today?
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ReplyDeleteI guess it is the way the Lord has wired me, but often I have a hard time putting what I feel into words and often I break out into song in my quiet times. Join me in song as we read Matthew 26:
ReplyDeleteHe became sin
Who knew no sin
That we might become His Righteousness
He humbled himself and carried the cross
Love so amazing
Love so amazing
Jesus Messiah
Name above all names
Blessed Redeemer
Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners
The ransom from Heaven
Jesus Messiah
Lord of all
His body the bread
His blood the wine
Broken and poured out all for love
The whole earth trembled
And the veil was torn
Love so amazing
Love so amazing, yeah
Jesus Messiah
Name above all names
Blessed Redeemer
Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners
The ransom from Heaven
Jesus Messiah
Lord of all
All our hope is in You
All our hope is in You
All the glory to You, God
The light of the world
Jesus Messiah
Name above all names
Blessed Redeemer
Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners
The ransom from Heaven
Jesus Messiah
Lord of all
“Before the night's over, you're going to fall to pieces because of what happens to me.”
ReplyDeleteBetrayals. Thirty pieces of silver…Judas, the dark, evil one. But what was the difference between the disciples who could not watch for even an hour in Jesus’ dark hours of prayer and need, Peter who denied he knew Christ, or each of us who daily betray His Love? And we hear Jesus ask us, “Do you love Me?” Yes, Jesus, you know I do. Do you really love Me, Annette? Yes, but not nearly enough, I realize again.
“Can't you stick it out with me a single hour? Stay alert; be in prayer so you don't wander into temptation without even knowing you're in danger. There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there's another part that's as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire."
This chapter, Matthew 26 really haunts me as I read about Jesus setting himself apart to pray and taking a few of his disciples with him to watch and pray with and for him...instead they fall asleep. OUCH! That's me. I'm guilty. Also the part about Peter denying he knew Christ. I have wanted to testify and yet not know exactly how to do it in the situation and just let it pass me by.
ReplyDeleteI am so grateful for Christ mission of LOVE and FORGIVENESS. I have been so graced by my Heavenly Father with his Amazing LOVE, MERCY, and PEACE. Yet just like Jesus disciples too much of the time it is difficult for me to see HIS GRACE espeically when I am living through a difficult situation and I fall asleep instead of keeping watch as He has called me to do.
All I can say and do is with a repentant heart tell Jesus with great sadness in my heart I confess my guilt and ask HIM to forgive me, your servant, one more time.
HurstMom...thank you for the song what sweet solace that is to me.
Precious Pearls Thank You for blessings me with your comments that help me grow deeper in Christ and The Word.
This is a Song I must sing...Sylvia
I guess as I read this chapter I am completely undone by what Jesus did for me. They roughed him up, spat on him and mocked him. He was forsaken by his disciples (abandoned, actually). And one of his disciples sold him for the price of a slave.
ReplyDeleteEvery one of these were seeing things with their flesh eyes.
Men...never be the kind of Christ follower that follows Jesus just for what you can get out of him.
Men...never follow Jesus if you think he is going to make you important.
Men...never follow Jesus if you fear being made to look foolish. We are fools for Christ's sake.
Women...never follow Jesus unless you are willing to do it "scared."
Women...never follow Jesus unless you are willing to surrender to him whatever you have placed your security in (your treasure).
Women...never follow Jesus unless you are willing to stand watch at the tomb waiting for his appearance at your time of greatest sorrow over a hopeless prayer.
So many rich things about our human nature are in this chapter.
Do we follow Jesus for what we can get out of him?
Do we only see with flesh eyes or have we been brave enough to desire spirit eyes to see him for who he is and what he is doing?
Does he look across the crowd and lock eyes with us as we deny him?
Does he allow us to spit in his face and say nothing in reply?
Or does he receive our gift of worship poured out at his feet...and forgive us?
Flesh eyes are all over this chapter. But some had spirit eyes. God-blessed eyes...and saw him for who he was.
Singing with you, Michele, and adding another song...
My Passion by Travis Cottrell
You can listen to it if you google search Travis Cottrell's name.
This song just fell all over me as I was typing my thoughts. Jesus, my passion is you...
Here's a better link to My Passion.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.myspace.com/music/travis-cottrell-13620667/songs/my-passion-28300121