Matthew - Week 86

Prophesy to Us 

READ 

Matthew 26:67-68 

67 Then they began to spit in Jesus’ face and beat him with their fists. And some slapped him, 68 jeering, “Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who hit you that time?” 

This continues the account of the insults and humiliation that Jesus endured when He could have prevented it by calling armies of angels. It is one thing if you suffer abuse when you can do nothing about it, but quite another if you could have stopped it but endured it for others. Our love for each other is caused by His love for us first (see 1 John 4:19). 

REFLECT 

Think about the terrible abuse Jesus endured so He could eventually die on the cross for all mankind.  

RESPOND 

Join with a fellow believer in reading not only Matthew’s account but also Mark’s in Mark 14:55-65 and Luke’s in Luke 22:63-65. Give time for this story to sink into your heads and hearts about the love Jesus had that caused Him to be willing to suffer all of this.  

In the Courtyard 

READ 

Matthew 26:69-70 

69 Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him, “You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But Peter denied it in front of everyone. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said. 

Peter had declared he would never deny Jesus but here he did in front of everyone present in the courtyard with him. This was not caused because he was frightened of an angry and armed military guard but from a simple statement by a servant girl. Peter feigned ignorance of knowing what she was talking about. 

REFLECT 

Have you let someone’s statement cause you to be reluctant to admit you know Jesus? 

RESPOND 

Read Acts 4:23-31 to see the believers praying for boldness in preaching the Gospel because of persecution expected by the religious leaders. This chapter in Acts justifies civil disobedience when the government requests something that would dishonor God.  

Denial 

READ 

Matthew 26:71-72 

71 Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. “I don’t even know the man,” he said. 

Peter changed his location but was approached by another servant girl. He stood out among the group and raised their curiosity. For the second time he denied he knew Jesus. Peter was emphatic about not knowing “the man” even though he had followed Jesus for three years and was in the inner circle, along with James and John.  

REFLECT 

If you are relatively new in your relationship with Jesus, you can be encouraged if you have difficulty taking a stand for Jesus because Peter also had such difficulty.  

RESPOND 

Talk with a friend about what a dangerous situation Peter was in. If the ringleader of his group was in danger, surely they would be coming after Jesus’ followers. Peter may have realized his own life was in danger if he admitted being a follower of Jesus. 

The Rooster Crowed 

READ 

Matthew 26:73-75 

73 A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, “You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent.” 74 Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know the man!” And immediately the rooster crowed.  

75 Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly. 

Verse 74 says “Peter swore.” This means he took an oath, not that he used foul language. Now more than the servant girls were curious. The Galileans had a different accent than those in Judea so others were suspicious of Peter. After his third denial, the rooster crowed, as Jesus promised it would. Jesus’ comment raced through Peter’s mind, and he immediately realized what he had done. He left where he was with his heart broken and weeping bitterly.  

REFLECT 

What has it been like for you after you failed to stand up for Jesus as you know you should have? 

RESPOND 

Discuss with a fellow believer how heartbroken Peter must have been. Then remember this is not the end of the story and he will later be greatly used in proclaiming the Gospel. In considering what sins can be forgiven, see 1 John 1:7 that Jesus’ blood cleanses from all sin. The only unforgivable sin is that of refusing to believe in Jesus as Savior and passing from this earth in that condition.  

The Next Morning 

READ 

Matthew 27:1-2 

1 Very early in the morning the leading priests and the elders of the people met again to lay plans for putting Jesus to death. 2 Then they bound him, led him away, and took him to Pilate, the Roman governor. 

The religious leaders were more determined than ever to have Jesus put to death. The Jewish people did not have the authority to put someone to death so they took Him to the Roman governor who had this power. Pilate’s headquarters were at Caesarea on the Mediterranean, but he came to Jerusalem during the feast of Passover because of the troubles that often developed there. 

REFLECT 

Does this help you to better understand the hatred the religious leaders had for Jesus? Religion is not a friend to Christianity. 

RESPOND 

For Scriptural proof that the Jews did not have the authority to execute anyone, see John 18:31.