Monday, July 21, 2008

Matthew 26:57-75

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57 Those who had seized Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. 58 But Peter followed him at a distance, right up as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and entered in, and sat down with the officers to see the outcome. 

59 Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death. 60 They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later on two came forward, 61 and said, ``This man stated, `I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days.' ''

62 The high priest stood up and said to Him, ``Do You not answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?'' 63 But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, ``I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.'' 64 Jesus said* to him, ``You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter , you will see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN.'' 65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, ``He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy; 66 what do you think?'' They answered, ``He deserves death!'' 67 Then they spat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him, 68 and said, ``Prophesy to us, You Christ ; who is the one who hit You?''

69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a servant-girl came to him and said, ``You too were with Jesus the Galilean.'' 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, ``I do not know what you are talking about.'' 71 When he had gone out to the gateway, another servant-girl saw him and said* to those who were there, ``This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.'' 72 And again he denied it with an oath, ``I do not know the man.'' 73 A little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, ``Surely you too are one of them; for even the way you talk gives you away,.'' 74 Then he began to curse and swear, ``I do not know the man!'' And immediately a rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, ``Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.'' And he went out and wept bitterly.

Everything turns real dark for Jesus and things are moving fast! He knew it was coming. He warned His disciples that it was coming! BUT NOW, just as Jesus warned Peter personally that he would deny Him, it all unfolds.

Have you ever known clearly what is the right thing to do, then you did the wrong thing? THEN, you remember what the Lord says or you are reminded what Jesus would do in that situation. You feel awful about your performance or lack of performance.

Have you ever experienced this kind of thing?

Well, if you do, then Jesus has a later word for you. It happened to Peter after the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus found Peter and his buddies fishing. When they came around the fire to sit down with Jesus, very little was being said because they were all so guilty for scattering, especially Peter! Jesus only wanted to know one thing, when speaking to Peter. Do you love me? In other words, no matter how bad your performance or lack thereof, Jesus is most concerned about your heart's response to Him. "Do you love me", he says. Well do you?

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