Matthew 26:31,32
Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “’I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
How merciful, loving, and kind our King is! He foretells His disciples falling away, yet He encourages them that He will rise again and be waiting for them in Galilee! And He isn’t going to be waiting there to shame them or reject them but to love, accept, and encourage them!
What a sharp contrast we see between our character and God’s. How would respond if we knew the people closest to us were going to abandon us at the time we need them most? I’m willing to guess that most, if not all, wouldn’t respond as Christ does to this truth. In essence, He is saying: “You’re all gonna sin and abandon Me, but I will not abandon you. You will leave Me to face this alone, but I will never leave you. Though you may expect to be rejected as you have rejected Me, I am telling you now that there is mercy and grace waiting for each of you!”
He wanted them and us to know that though we have abandoned Him at times, He is still available and waiting for us! He chose mercy and grace over condemnation and punishment! Will we? It amazes me that Christ knew from the beginning which ones would do what, and yet He loved them anyway. He didn’t let who they were determine Who He is, and neither can we.
People will hurt us, they will betray us, they will write us off in our time of deepest need, but that does not give us a right to respond any differently than Christ did to those who did that to Him! It is not easy, but it is necessary to follow Christ’s example in every way, even those ways that are the hardest to walk! By His Spirit, we can do it!
Galatians 5:16- So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Galatians 5:24,25- Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
God bless! I love you all, but His love makes it possible! Glory, honor, and praise now and forever to Papa God, Jesus Christ our King, and the Holy Spirit!
Matthew 26:48-50
Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest Him.” So Judas came straight to Jesus. “Greetings, Rabbi!” he exclaimed and gave him the kiss. Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested Him.
How do we respond to hurt and betrayal? Christ’s simple response to Judas speaks volumes to me and is something we as His disciples need to mimic. He doesn’t yell at him, accuse him, condemn or chastise him but rather has a calm and measured response. Jesus doesn’t let anything or anyone control or determine Who He is or how He will respond.
Can we say the same?
We can grow in this area by spending more time with Him through reading His Word and prayer. We won’t start to resemble Christ until we start spending more time with Him. I’m so grateful that Jesus responds to His enemies that way – those who have betrayed Him, rejected Him, and traded Him for things of this world, because I was all of those things and so much more before He called me to Himself and set me free. If Jesus responds to Judas this way, how much more will He respond to those who humble themselves, repent, and turn to Him! Thank You, Jesus!
Psalm 51:17- The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.
God bless! I love you all, but His love breaks every chain! Glory, honor, and praise now and forever to Papa God, Jesus Christ our King, and the Holy Spirit!
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