“And Peter remembered the statement that Jesus had made: “Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly” (Matthew 26:75).

What can you do when you are confronted with absolute truth?  You can go deeper into evil, or you can repent.  With every repentance, there is a lesson learned.  The harder the fall, the greater the lesson.  The Lord knows what we are going to do.  He gives us grace so that we may repent, learn the lesson and grow in the likeness of Christ.

Lord, I often bluff and pretend that I am better than I am.  It does me no good and only feeds my pride.  Teach me to be quick to repent.  Teach me to learn how to avoid the places and situations where I need to repent.  Through all things, continue to lead me to become more and more like You each day.  Lead me through all bitterness of this age to turn to You, the Savior who saves.

Lord Jesus, with great compassion, You led the disciples through all of their trials.  You have come into my life to lead me through all of my trials.  No matter the bitterness that comes, especially the bitterness I bring upon myself, lead me by Your grace to look to You always and never betray the goodness of the faith which You have given me.  At all times, save me Lord so that I may be with You forever.  Amen.

“A little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “You really are one of them as well, since even the way you talk gives you away.”  Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed” (Matthew 26:73-74).

Anger, cursing and swearing.  I’ve often wondered why those things go together.  What is it in the rebellious spirit that so quickly moves down hill? It is as if we want to convince others of the merit of the anger.  But the Lord sees through all things and He knows.  Just as Jesus told Peter it would, it came to pass.  Just as He has told us, it will come to pass.  Though we may deny Him, He will not deny those who trust Him.

Lord, help me to see the places where I use pretense to pretend that I am better than I am.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to live in such a way that I am consistent.  Then, in consistency, teach me how to avoid those places where I would deny You.  You have gone to the cross for all of those who believe and have prayed for us before the Father.  Lead me to understand faithfulness.

Lord Jesus, in love You told Peter of His betrayal.  In love, You tell each of us our flaws and faults.  You are creating in those who believe a new life.  Lead me fully into the life You have given me by grace.  Guide me to understand and know the truth that You have spoken.  When and where I stumble and ignore Your word of truth, restore me so that I may walk with You always.  Amen.

“When he had gone out to the gateway, another slave woman saw him and said to those who were there, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.”  And again he denied it, with an oath: “I do not know the man” (Matthew 26:71-72).

Lies beget lies and eventually the lies crumble.  We are often being watched and we never know who sees what.  The Lord of all sees us always and knows all that we do.  We may think that we are clever with our disguises, but we are not.  It is better to live with the truth that to be shrouded with the layers of lies that are common in this age.  Jesus has told us that the truth will set us free.

Lord, I do not know what I am doing.  There are so many layers and I am covered by the nonsense of this age.  Help me Lord to live the life You have placed before me.  Guide me in the Gospel way so that I do not play the games of this world and then pretend that no one sees me.  Teach me to hold my tongue and not swear falsely or with a lie to preserve myself.  Teach me to be transparent.

Lord Jesus, even though I have denied You, You have never denied me.  You went to the cross for all of my sins.  Lead me in the transformation of my heart so that no matter what comes, I am willing to pay whatever price may be extracted.  Guide me in the goodness of Your mercy and grace to live into the life You have offered me.  When others accuse, may Your Holy Spirit give me the words to speak.  Amen.

“Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a slave woman came to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.”  But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about” (Matthew 26:69-70).

We hide from the truth when we think we are threatened.  Our instinct is to preserve our life by cowering, fleeing, or denying what we know to be true.  At all costs, save yourself.  But we cannot and will not.  We need to be saved.  Even though we deny the Lord, He will not deny those who come to Him in repentance.  We are called to submit to the Lord and learn to obey all that He commands.

Lord, You know how I cower and how I am afraid.  I am no different than every other sinner out there.  I will lie to save my own skin.  Guide me so that I do not live in fear, but live willingly proclaiming the truth with all that I am.  You suffered more than I can imagine for my sake.  Help me to pay the price for my faith knowing that You have given me what I need to be able to do even this.

Lord Jesus, You drank the cup of suffering as even those closest to You denied You.  Teach me from this to have fortitude and stand firm in the faith You have given me.  Lead me to not deny the truth, but speak it no matter the cost.  You have told me that I too would suffer for Your name’s sake.  Though I do not look for trouble, help me to stand firm in You when it comes.  Amen.

“Then they spit in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him, and said, “Prophesy to us, You Christ; who is the one who hit You?” (Matthew 26:67)

People in this world mock God.  They take the little power they have and pretend it is equal with the Lord.  The Lord allows things in this age for His purpose.  We may seem to get away with such mockery, but we will not.  When the unrepentant continue sinning, it seers the soul and accelerates the broad way to destruction.  The Lord, who knows all things, is long suffering, but the final day will come when all stand before this same One who took the mockery that day.

Lord, You have come to redeem those who would cease living in rebellion to follow You.  This world mocks You and in following You, the faithful receive its mockery.  Hatred fills this world and those who are opposed to You will strike out with hatred.  Take us from the way of this world into Your hands of mercy and grace so that we may learn to love You as You first loved us.

Lord Jesus, Love Incarnate, You bore the stripes for my iniquities.  Like a sheep before its sheerer, You did not fight back.  Guide me in the way of everlasting life so that I am rid of the anger and hatred of this world.  Let me not make demands of You, but humbly submit to Your authority and follow You now and always.  You are the Lord of all and You have done all that is needed for our salvation.  Lead me Lord.  Amen

“Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? See, you have now heard the blasphemy; what do you think?” They answered, “He deserves death!” (Matthew 26:65)

They said He bore false witness against God.  Either He spoke truth or He was a liar.  He cannot be just a great teacher and not the Messiah, for He would be a liar and that would mean that He is not great.  The world would have us pay lip service to Jesus while denying some of His words.  The Lord would have you fall at His feet and worship Him.  These are the two paths before us.

Eternal Lord God who has spoken to us through Christ, this deceitful world tells us that we can play two ends to the middle.  You have made it plain that it is all or nothing.  To come to You is to choose life and walk in the way of the world is to reject You which leads to eternal death.  Be the guide of all who submit to You, leading us out of the deceit of this age to live for You.  You have set before us the way of everlasting life.

Lord Jesus, You know the way I need to go.  Help me to not go half way, but all the way into the life You have placed before me.  In Your grace, guide me today and every day to live into the life for which You are preparing me.  There are lies and blasphemes is this world.  Help me to see them for what they are.  There are those who lie and tell me what they say is true.  Help me to see clearly the truth of my situation.  Guide me into all truth.  You are truth.  Amen.

“Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming on the clouds of heaven” (Matthew 26:64).

Where is Jesus?  Sitting at the right hand of the Father.  He is the source of godly action in this world.  He is the One through whom all things have their being.  Do not be deceived by the recurring lies of this age, but be transformed by the truth which He has spoken.  Lord, You are truth, for all that exists has come through You.  You will return just as You have said.  The world will continue to live the lies of this age.

We need help and the Holy Spirit has come so that we may be led through the smoke and mirrors of this age.  In Jesus alone is all hope and the only future worth living.  Through Jesus, we have our being.  In Him we have grace, mercy, and true life.  Do not fall into the traps of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of Your minds and hearts, listening to the word of truth which He has spoken.

Lord Jesus, You have told us these things so that we may know what is coming.  The world continues to believe its fantasies, but You have spoken truth.  Guide me in the way of truth.  Help me to see through the smoke of this age and hold fast to the words You have spoken.  Through all that may come in this life, help me to hold on, especially when trials come.  In You, I have eternal hope.  Keep me in that hope.  Amen.

“The high priest stood up and said to Him, “Do You offer no answer for what these men are testifying against You?”  But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I place You under oath by the living God, to tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God” (Matthew 26:62-63).

What do you do when a liar lies?  The sinful self becomes indignant and wants to fight back.  Lying is lying and the world is filled with it.  Do not take the bait and do not fall into the trap.  Sometimes it is best to remain silent.  Those who hate the Lord will use trickery to deceive and trap.  Learn the lesson and let the Lord be the judge of all things.  Have we not been told that there are times when we will be like sheep led to the shearer?

Lord, I do become indignant in the face of lies.  I want to make a defense, but sometimes it is best to remain silent, for they will twist even the truth spoken for their own ends.  Lead me to know truth.  Also teach me how to remain silent when it is time to not speak.  Be the One who leads my voice so that I speak what is right and remain silent when You would have me say nothing.

Lord Jesus, to the very end of Your life on the cross You remained silent.  At the right time and in the right place, help me to live this valuable lesson.  Help me to heed the lessons You have demonstrated and live according to Your word.  Let me not fall into the traps of lies that are all around me.  Guide me in the upward call You have given me to be like You.  Through all things, lead me on the narrow path of righteousness for Your sake.  Amen.

“They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later on two came forward, and said, “This man stated, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days’” (Matthew 26:60-61).

Of course they did not find any.  The Lord speaks the truth.  The only way was for someone to lie.  This world does not like the truth.  Jesus tells us what He is able to accomplish.  We may not believe Him, but He speaks truth.  Your body is the temple of the Lord and He created You.  He desires to dwell with You forever.  Your life comes from Him and is sustained by Him.  Live in relationship with the Lord.

Lord, I can only begin to comprehend these things.  You have given me life and You have Your design for that life.  Help me to live according to Your will and not my will.  In You alone will I find meaning and purpose.  Guide me dear Lord to live the way You are directing me to live and not according to the way of this world.  Lead me in Your goodness and mercy always to humbly submit to You in all things.

Lord Jesus, You took on the punishment of sin for my sake.  You did this so that I could live into the relationship You intend for me to live forever.  Guide me so that I may now and always abide humbly in Your presence and purpose.  Lead me and help me to follow You no matter what is happening in the world around me.  Guide me now and forever in Your love and into the purpose of the Father.  Amen.

“Now the chief priests and the entire Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death” (Matthew 26:59).

This world wants what it wants and it will use deception to accomplish what it desires.  Be wary because deception is used in our world.  The Lord has spoken the word of truth and the world calls it a lie.  Whom will you believe?  Will you listen to the One who has created all things, or will you listen to the continuing deception of this age?  Our Lord has spoken His word of truth so that we may live with the Creator of us all now and forever.

Lord, help me learn how to discern between the truth You have spoken and the lies of this age.  Grant me a discerning mind so that I am shrewd as a serpent, but keep me as innocent as a dove.  Let me not speak a false testimony, but instead speak words that are true.  You have given me the words of eternal life.  Help me to speak them willingly and freely at all times.  Guide my thoughts and words.

Lord Jesus, I have betrayed You with my words.  I have not always let the truth cross my lips.  You went to the cross for all of my sins.  Help me to move toward the place where I live in obedience and not by constantly needing Your grace.  Help me to not buy into the deceit of this age, but live according to the hope You have given me by the grace You purchased with Your body. Teach me how to be faithful.  Amen.