A Journey with Jesus during Lent

Thursday, March 9, 2023

A Journey with Jesus during Lent

Day 14

Matthew 26:57-68

Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome. The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.

Finally two came forward and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’” Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” “He is worthy of death,” they answered. Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?”

The mocking, abuse, injustice, and suffering! Within such a short timeframe, Jesus our sinless Messiah, had been betrayed, arrested, deserted, attacked, spit on, slapped and beat up…..and more is still to come. It just doesn’t stop. If we think our Lord doesn’t understand the pain and issues, we are going through, we need to stop and think again.

Jesus' lack of response to the mocking, and abuse was not due to weakness. It was a sign of his power. In the Gospel of Matthew, we see that the religious leaders would try to do away with Jesus as he was a threat to those holding religious power. Because those who held a position of authority were threatened by him, he never received a fair trial, it was all an orchestrated plot to have him killed. Even in the midst of the trials Jesus demonstrates his unshaken hope in the heavenly plan set by his Father.

Jesus promised that all would know his power when he comes again. When he does, the angels he could have summonsed when he was arrested, will be with him. Everyone will bow and name him King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He will no longer be the suffering Messiah he will be the Promised One, the Conquering Son of God, Messiah.

Today, spend time reflecting on Jesus’s sufferings and …If we say, “that’s not fair” about how life is treating us, let’s think about the trials Jesus went through.

How does the reality of Jesus’s physical suffering affect the way you view your own personal suffering?

Dear Jesus,

We praise You and give thanks that we get to journey with You through this season of Lent. Draw us closer to Your heart, that we might know You better. After we daily reflect on Your selflessness and life-giving Word, give us wisdom to be Your hands and feet in the world just as You intend. Give us hearts of compassion, hands of generosity, and feet that take Your good news to the world. We love You and are honored to serve you Lord, our sweet Savior. Amen.

Week 3 Act of Kindness

“For I was a stranger and you invited me in” Matthew 25:35c

This week, pray about extending an invitation (e.g., for church, dinner, coffee) to someone outside of your family, friends, or “circle.”