“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.

“Those who had arrested Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together.  But Peter was following Him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and he came inside and sat down with the officers to see the outcome” (Matthew 26:57-58).

Even though we sin and woefully treat the Lord terribly, there is still the call that the Holy Spirit gives us to keep us moving forward.  Peter needed to experience what he experienced in order to become what the Lord would make of him.  The Lord leads us all through by His love so that we can live in His love.  Afraid and disappointed, Peter came.  So too, we sometimes need to step forward and come to the Lord just as we are.

Lord, I do not understand Your love.  It is more that I can begin to imagine.  But You want to implant that love in me.  Lead me Lord so that I come as I am to You.  You will make of me what You intend and it is You alone who will help me to keep moving forward no matter the circumstances.  Your grace is sufficient.  Help me to live Your grace now and always knowing that You are making of me one who is pleasing in Your sight.

Lord Jesus, even though I betray You time and again, help me to live according to Your word of mercy and keep me moving forward in the faith which You have given.  Lead me beyond my actions in order to come to the place where I learn to love You above all things.  Thank You for all of the grace and mercy that I need.  Help me now and always to walk the narrow path of faith which You have set before me.  Amen.

“But all this has taken place so that the Scriptures of the prophets will be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left Him and fled” (Matthew 26:56).

Scripture will be fulfilled.  We see as the moments are doled out to us one at a time.  God is beyond time so all that will be is like a moment from His view.  He speaks from what He knows.  We have been given warnings.  They will be because God knows what is.  Before the heavens were established, He saw all things.  That includes you and me.  He saw us and went to the cross so that we could join Him forever.

Some angels rebelled and they were cast out forever.  We were born in rebellion, and we have the opportunity to be restored.  The offer of grace is for those of us in this age who lay down our rebellion and join with the Lord.  He has accomplished salvation for all who believe.  Come into His presence and live according to the mercy and goodness of His provision.  The Lord has come to save You from eternal banishment.

Lord Jesus, like the disciples, I flee in the face of hardship or when things do not go as I anticipate.  Take my eyes off of myself and my situation in order that I may live according to the Father’s will.  Lead me in all righteousness, not according to my understanding, but according to the truth of eternity.  Guide me Lord and help me to follow You all the days of my life.  Amen.

“At that time Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would against a man inciting a revolt? Every day I used to sit within the temple grounds teaching, and you did not arrest Me” (Matthew 26:55).

Jesus was in the garden praying.  A group of men came to arrest Him.  Why was there fear underlying their actions?  Why should they be afraid?  Jesus was available for arrest at any time.  Why the secrecy?  They were afraid and rightly so.  They were afraid of the people, but behind that, in their spirit, they were afraid of Jesus.  We do well to fear the One through whom all things have their being.

Lord, how funny it is that the world dances in opposition to You.  You are the One through whom all things have their being.  You created us and deep down we know this.  Teach us so that we do not dance around You.  Join us in the dance of a relationship with You.  Sometimes there is fear to engage with You in a real and personal way.  Take that fear away so that no matter what those around us think, we are with You forever.

Lord Jesus, You went through this insult for me.  You did this so that I could live life as it is meant to be lived.  Lead me so that I humbly come to You, willingly living according to Your goodness and mercy.  Guide me in the way of living that does not practice my faith privately, but lives it publicly.  You know what I need.  Grant me what I need to practice righteousness according to the Father’s will.  Amen.

“Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword will perish by the sword.  Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?  How then would the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?” (Matthew 26:52-54)

We fight.  Fighting will cause loss.  Will not the Father do what is needed?  Yes, stand your ground, but violence begets violence.  Note that Peter was not reprimanded for having a sword, only for using force to try and stop what was going to happen.  Jesus needed to be arrested for our sake.  For this reason, always go to the Lord in prayer and not just react to things.  Seek the Father’s will in all things.

Lord, I am reactionary in this world filled with anxiety.  Teach me to keep my head and not react to things unless You lead.  Lead me according to Your will to see that only in You is there true hope.  Guide me so that I humbly submit to Your will and do what You would have me do.  It is a violent world, but I do not need to be one who promotes the violence.  Yet Lord, I do need to protect where it is needed.  Teach me the appropriate boundaries for these things.

Lord Jesus, You are always purposeful in all that You do.  I often do not understand what is coming.  Guide me so that I respond to You and do not react to situations.  Grant me prudence, temperance, and fortitude to fight every battle according to the Father’s will and by Your grace.  Help me to be faithful in all things, not reacting to this world of constant insanity and impatience.  Amen.

“And behold, one of those who were with Jesus reached and drew his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear” (Matthew 26:51).

Peter the hothead.  “I’ll protect You Lord.”  How many times do we defend the Lord when He needs no defending?  He holds all power and authority.  Stand firm in Your faith, yes, but do not wrestle with the serpents who could care less about the truth.  What will happen will happen and all our defenses will not stop it from happening.  Live in the truth that the Lord is Lord of all.

Lord, I do become to easily outraged and I strike out.  The wicked are wicked and even from amongst them You will place Your hand of grace and they shall be saved.  Guide me out of the wickedness of this world to live in Your grace and mercy. Though I need to be cautious, help me to not be combative.  Guide me so that my reactions are according to the Father’s will at all times.

Lord Jesus, thank You for tolerating the foolishness of this age for the sake of the redeemed.  Lead me so that I abandon the foolishness that seems to dominate this age.  Teach me how to live amidst the warfare that is going on all around me as one of peace.  Guide me as only You can to walk the path You have set before me.  Teach me and help me to learn from You how to submit to the Father’s will no matter what comes.  Amen.

“And immediately Judas went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.  But Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you have come for.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested Him” (Matthew 26:49-50).

Greetings to the Lord?  As if the Lord did not know what was in his heart!  This is one of the mistakes of the proud and haughty.  They act as if they are their own person, bringing about the outcome they desire.  Do not be proud nor haughty, but come humbly to the One who saves.  The world seeks to arrest Jesus and be rid of Him.  He is still present and holds all power and authority.  The world may be lost, but You are found in Him.

Lord, help me to humbly and simply see the truth that I do need to be saved and You are the only One who can save me.  Help me to submit in all things to Your authority and walk the way of faith.  The crowds around me may go the way they go, but after this age, it is You whom I will see at judgement.  Lead me to live my life as You are creating it to be lived.  Guide me in all of Your ways.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for the forgiveness You grant by Your grace.   May I come to the place where I live by the forgiveness You give.  There is no excuse for my sin, only forgiveness.  Help me to hear Your word and live, sinning less and less.  Guide me up and out of sinful thinking to willingly and firmly follow You now and forever.  You are the Lord of my life.  Help me to live this truth.  Amen.

“And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came accompanied by a large crowd with swords and clubs, who came from the chief priests and elders of the people.  Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign previously, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; arrest Him” (Matthew 26:47-18).

The appearance of affection covers the hatred inside.  The rebellion against the Lord is strong in sinners.  Judas wanted what He wanted, but our Lord was doing what the Father wanted.  This is the human story.  We want what we want and pit ourselves against the Lord who is the Creator of all things.  We may arrest the Lord in our heart, but He is the only One who can make us free.  Submit to the Lord in all things and know true freedom.

Lord God, You are the Maker of all things.  There is such pride in me that at the least, I think myself Your partner instead of Your servant.  Slay the pride and make of me what You will.  Though I have betrayed You within the guise of following You, teach me to take up my cross and follow You.  Without You it is hopeless, but with You alone there is hope.  Grant me the assurance of hope for the things You have promised.

Lord Jesus, You went to the cross for all these things.  Guide me to be resolute in following You no matter how many like Judas I may encounter.  Take my pride from me.  You alone are the Lord of all.  Lead me to be steadfast in the truth of the salvation You have purchased through the cross.  Help me to simply and humbly be Your servant following You always in and through all things.  Amen.

“Then He came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.  Get up, let’s go; behold, the one who is betraying Me is near!” (Matthew 26:45-46)

The hour is at hand.  We all face our dark evenings when things we cannot comprehend come upon us.  Like the disciples, we are tempted to run away.  Like the disciples, even though we may betray the Lord, we can pray that His Holy Spirit will restore us to face battles yet to come.  Facing a battle will come.  Will you continue to flee or will you turn to the Lord and follow His lead?

Lord, You know where I have been and the things I have done.  You know what I need to learn how to be faithful.  With You I cannot fake it or pretend.  Lead me to learn to never fake it or pretend, but humbly walk in the truth You have revealed.  Awaken me to the truth of eternity and help me to live now in this moment in preparation of being with You forever.

Lord Jesus, You know betrayal.  I have betrayed You and You continued loving me.  Take me away from the place where I betray You so that I may be ready for every hour that comes.  You invite me into the fray of the battles of this age.  Lead me according to Your goodness and the Father’s will to do what is right and fitting in each moment You give me.  Help me to learn how to be faithful.  Amen.