I FIND NO FAULT IN HIM

13 Days to Resurrection Sunday

 

Luke 23:4 “I find no fault in this man…”

 

SCRIPTURE READING: MATTHEW 27

 ¹¹And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.

¹²And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.

 ¹³Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?

 ¹⁴And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.

 ¹⁵Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.

 ¹⁶And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.

 ¹⁷Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?

 ¹⁸For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

 ¹⁹When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

 ²⁰But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

 ²¹The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.

 ²²Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.

 ²³And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.

 ²⁴When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.

 ²⁵Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

REFLECTION: 

Pilate said, "I find no fault in him."  

Moments later he sentenced Christ to die.  Why?

The answer lies in Pilate's skeptical, if not cynical view of truth.  When Jesus testified that he was sent to bear witness to the truth, Pilate scoffed, "What is truth?"

Having rejected the dictates of truth, Pilate judged on the basis of expediency rather than morality.  The Jews, led by Caiaphas the High Priest, clamored for Christ's execution and finally prevailed.  They won, not because they were right, but because they were loud and determined.  

Pilate's order would be followed, not because he was right, but because he commanded might.

Having lost his moral compass, Pilate's cowardice was inevitable.  Brave men decide and act on the basis of moral conviction. Weak men are pressured and react accordingly.

Is not this the problem of Western men today?  We have jettisoned moral principle, and congratulated ourselves for our self-serving governance.  It is no wonder that we are standing at the threshold of tragedy.

All this should come as no surprise to students of God’s Word.  When men are demoralized, ordering an execution is only one of many sad possibilities.  

The Apostle Paul explains why:  “When they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” (Romans 1:21)  The vain and foolish are capable of the grossest immorality.  Read Romans 1:22-32.

Pilate declared himself innocent. Again, how like a modern man. But we are not our judge.  God is. The Apostle Paul wrote plainly:  ^“With me it is a very small thing that I should be judged…of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self…but he that judgeth me is the Lord.”(I Corinthians 4:3-4).

And what of this hand washing? Could this public display absolve Pilate of his guilt?  Not hardly.  "What can wash away my sin, Nothing but the blood of Jesus."

With Pilate we too can say of the Savior, "I find no fault in this man."  But may we do more than acknowledge His holiness, may we defend His honor.

 

PRAYER: Father in Heaven.  We stand ready to defend your Holy Name. You are perfect in your love. You are perfect in your grace.  You are perfect in your mercy. Your Word is perfect.  Your will is perfect.  Your way is perfect.  We find no fault in you.  We pray that today we will not blush to speak your name.  We pray that we will not retreat when your cause is under attack. “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. (Jude 24,25). “Our Father. &c”

 

 

WHAT IS TRUTH?

14 Days to Resurrection Sunday!

John 18:38 “What is truth?”

SCRIPTURE READING: JOHN18:

 ³³Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?

³⁴Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?

³⁵Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?

³⁶Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. ³⁷Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

³⁸Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

³⁹But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?

⁴⁰Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.

 

REFLECTION:  Jesus spent His entire life answering the question that Pilate asked on our Lord’s last day. “What is truth?”

“What is truth?”  While shepherds watched their flocks outside the village of Bethlehem, the angels answered for Jesus, “Unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord.”

 

“What is truth?”  It is a young 12 year old Jesus teaching and questioning the religious intelligentsia of his day, explaining, “I must be about my Father’s business.”

“What is truth?”  It is Jesus calling His disciples along the shores of Galilee, “Follow me.”  They did and they testified, “He was full of grace and truth.”

 

“What is truth?”  It is Jesus teaching his disciples on the hillside, “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God,” “When ye pray be not as the heathen,” “Whoever hears these sayings of mine and doeth them is like a man who built his house on a rock.” (Matthew 5-7).

 

“What is truth?” It is Jesus standing on the deck of a storm tossed ship saying, “Peace, be still.”

 

“What is truth?” It is Jesus speaking to the Samaritan woman at the well, “The hour is come, when the true worshippers will worship in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23)

“What is truth?”  It is Jesus rescuing a woman about to be stoned for committing adultery and insisting that the one without sin cast the first stone.  And then when all her accusers left, it is Jesus forgiving, “neither do I condemn thee, go and sin no more.” (John 8:11)

 

“What is truth?” It is Jesus exposing the pride and defective faith of the Pharisees, “If you were Abraham’s children you do the works of Abraham…ye are of your father the Devil, and the works of your father you will do.” (John 8:44)

 

“What is truth?” It is Jesus encouraging his disciples, “Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in God believe also in me… I go to prepare a place for you… I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes to the Father but by me.”  (John 14:1-6).

 

“What is truth?” It is Jesus praying for his disciples, “Sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth.” (John 17:17)

“What is truth?” It is Jesus comforting the grieving sisters outside Bethany, “I am the resurrection and the life, he that believeth in me shall never die.”  Then he weeps.  Then He says, “Lazarus come forth!”  And he did.

 

“What is truth?” It is Jesus promising his disciples that he would be crucified, buried, and rise again on the third day.  And He did.

 

Truth corresponds to reality.  Truth is absolute.  Truth is knowable. But it is more.

Truth is more than a philosophical construct. It is more than a universal principle.  Truth is a person, and Pilate, Truth is standing before you.

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, In a world that is so filled with sleight of hand, false teachers, and deception, we thank you for The Truth!  Thank you for teaching us the truth.  Thank you for showing us the truth.  Thank you for being the Truth.  Thank you for your Word—both incarnate and written.  We pray that our lives would be ordered by your Truth.  May we be people of integrity.  Fill us with the Spirit of Truth we humbly ask.   In the loving name of Jesus, Amen.  “Our Father, &c.”

 

 

PILATE AND HEROD WERE MADE FRIENDS

15 DAYS TO RESURRECTION SUNDAY

Luke 23:13  “And the same day were Pilate and Herod made friends…”

 

SCRIPTURE READING: LUKE 23:1-12

 ¹And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate.

 ²And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.

 ³And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.

 ⁴Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.

 ⁵And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.

 ⁶When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean.

 ⁷And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.

 ⁸And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.

 ⁹Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.

 ¹⁰And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.

 ¹¹And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.

¹²And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.

REFLECTION: 

Pilate was bothered and conflicted as he wrestled with the question of the ages, “What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?” (Matthew 27:22). He testified, “I find no fault in this man.”  Caiphas, the High Priest, could find no good in Him.  Perspective matters.

Then a way out of his dilemma, certainly a moral dilemma in every aspect, appeared.  He heard that Jesus was a Galilean.  Herod, the Tetrarch of Galilee happened to be in Jerusalem for the Passover.  Pilate ordered that Christ be extradicted to Herod’s Court.  It was our Lord’s third march on His way to Golgotha--From Gethsemane to the High Priest’s palace, from the High Priest’s to Pilate’s Court, and now to Herod’s residence.

 

This was not the Herod who had ordered the execution of the children in Bethlehem at the time of Christ’s birth.  That was his father.  This was the Herod that took his brother’s wife to be his own, imprisoned John the Baptist for decrying his gross immorality, and then ordered the execution of John the Baptist at the request of his salacious step-daughter and her wicked mother.

 

Jesus knew Herod.  (He knows all of us.)  He called him a “fox.” (Luke 13:32).  Dr. Luke tells us that “when Herod saw Jesus he was exceeding glad…he hoped to have seen some miracle” (Luke 23:8) He was not glad because he wanted to hear the truth, nor was he glad because he was ready to receive the truth. Herod just wanted to see a miracle. For him, Christ was nothing more than a magician—a spectacle.  Herod soon discovered that Christ would not be used. 

 

Herod then determined to ridicule Jesus. (Luke 23:11) How pathetic to witness vice mocking Virtue.  It must have cut our Savior’s heart.  But Christ stood, wrapped in one of Herod’s shining robes, as Herod and his minions feigned worship.  He “opened not his mouth.” (Isaiah 53:7).  Save your pity for Herod’s eternally lost soul.

 

Herod sent Jesus back to Pilate.  And the Bible says, “the same day were Pilate and Herod made friends.”  Spurgeon preached, “As for those two foxes, Pilate and Herod, there were tied, tail to tail, that day by our great Samson!”  How often we have witnessed the enemies of Christ united in their purpose to destroy Him. 

 

The super-spiritual Jews, the skeptical Pilate, and the superstitious Herod were bound together for one dreadful purpose—that Light of the World would be extinguished. They would succeed, but not ultimately.  Praise God.

If we could make one application for those who love the Lord Jesus:  Might we be as united and fervent in our devotion to our Savior as His enemies are in their defiance.  The bands of hatred are strong, but the power of Divine love is stronger.  May the world admire and desire the love of our lives.

 

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, The more we see and know of your Son—his life, his love, and his sacrifice in our behalf—the more we are amazed “that God should love a sinner such as I.”We pray that when we are disparaged by the super-spiritual, when we are derided by the skeptical, and when we are despised by the superstitious, that we will, like our Blessed Lord Jesus, possess our souls in that peace that comes only from thy Spirit.  May we live this day in the center of your “good, acceptable, and perfect” will.  In the strong name of Jesus, Amen. “Our Father, &c.”

PILATE MARVELED

16 DAYS TO RESURRECTION SUNDAY

Mark 15:5  “Pilate marveled…”

 

SCRIPTURE READING: MARK 15:1-14

 ¹And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.

 ²And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto them, Thou sayest it.

 ³And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing.

 ⁴And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee.

 ⁵But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.

 ⁶Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired.

 ⁷And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.

 ⁸And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them.

 ⁹But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews?

 ¹⁰For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.

 ¹¹But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.

 ¹²And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews?

 ¹³And they cried out again, Crucify him.

 ¹⁴Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.

REFLECTION:  After a long night of emotion-driven deliberations complicated by a lack of evidence and corroborating witnesses, the Jewish Council agreed to press charges against Christ in Pilate’s court. The trial would need to be hurried along as the Passover Sabbath Day began at sundown. No one was to be left hanging on a cross on that high and holy day.

Christ was bound and escorted by Caiphas the High Priest and a mob zealots to the Praetorium, the courtyard outside Pilate’s Court. Had the Jews actually entered Pilate’s designated Court they would have been rendered unclean and unable to attend Passover services.

Pilate, the Roman Pontius was summoned to hear the charge against Jesus.

 

The High Priest stood authoritatively in his official garb.  The Mitre on his head was adorned with a gold band that was emblazoned with “HOLINESS UNTO JEHOVAH.” 

It must have all seemed surreal to Pilate. Standing before him were people who religiously observed the Sabbath, who kept themselves separate from Gentiles so as to not bedefiled, and who presented themselves as the “Holiness Unto Jehovah” crowd.  And these were the people shouting, “Crucify Him!”

 

And then there was Jesus.  He was pushed into the court that his accusers would not enter.  He had no Mitre and no religious garb to prove His authority. He had no emblem engraved with “Holiness Unto Jehovah,” to advertise His spirituality. The evidence of His holiness was within Him.  The world has not changed.  We are still divided into pretenders or possessors.

Pilate marveled at the inconsistency of the Jews.  They called for the best to be crucified, and the worst to be released.  Their pride and prejudice rendered them blind to the truth about themselves and about the Christ.

Pilate marveled at the complacency of Christ.  Christ knew that his fate would not be determined by the will of men. He stood before the Highest Court.  He had settled it before, “not my will, but thine be done.”  His case was in the hands of a God too good to do wrong and too wise to make a mistake.

 

And before Christ was finally ordered to Golgotha, Pilate marveled at the innocence of our Savior.  Washing his hands before the Court, Pilate declared, “I find no fault in Him.”  And neither do I.

Is it our vice or our virtue that makes men marvel at us?

 

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, Your thoughts are not our thoughts.  Your ways are far higher than our ways.  You are the perfect in all your ways.  You are worthy of our highest praise.  Open our eyes to see ourselves as you see us—as we really are.  Open our minds to understand your will.  And  open our hearts to love your will.  Search our hearts and sanctify every vestige of pride and prejudice out of our hearts.  We thank you for your sacrifice.  In the name of Jesus, Amen. “Our Father, which art in heaven…"

 

PETER FOLLOWED AFAR OFF

DEVOTION + PETER FOLLOWED AFAR OFF

17 Days to Resurrection Sunday

 

Luke 22:54 "Peter followed afar off..."

 

SCRIPTURE READING: LUKE 22:54-62

54 Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house.  And Peter followed afar off.

55 And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.

56 But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.

57 And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.

58 And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them.  And Peter said, Man, I am not.

59 And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean.

60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.

61 And the Lord turned and looked upon Peter.  And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

 

REFLECTION: He denied Christ. "I know him not!"(Luke 22:57).

 

Then, he denied Christ again. "I am not!" (Luke 22:58)

 

Then, he denied Christ again. "I know not what you are saying!" (Luke 22:60)

The rooster crowed as dawn was breaking on the Holy City.  Oh what a day that would be.  Jesus turned away from facing his accusers and engaged Peter's eyes. (Luke 22:61)

A few hours earlier Peter knew that he would never deny Christ. "Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death." (Luke 22:33)  But our compassionate Christ knew what Peter would actually do. "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat, But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." (Luke 22:31,32).

 

Bitter, scalding tears course down his face as he walks away from the scene of the crime.  Three of the Evangelists tell us that Peter wept.  Two of them tell us that Peter's tears were "bitter." (Matthew 26:75, Luke 22:62).  We have all wept tears like that.  We hate to fail those we dearly love.  We hate to fail ourselves.

 

Much has been said and written of the distance between Peter and Christ on this fateful night.  We read, "Peter followed afar off."(Luke 22:54).  We cannot help but wonder if Peter would have kept his promise to be faithful if only he had been closer to Christ.

 

Yet it wasn't where he was--it was who he was, that was his problem.  He was weak.  He was fearful.  And he was inconsistent.  But Jesus loved him. (And Jesus loves us).  And Jesus prayed for him. (And Jesus prays for us.)  He prayed that Peter's faith would not fail.  He prayed that Peter would be converted.  And He prayed that Peter would strengthen his fellow brothers.

Was our Lord's prayer for Peter unanswered? Hardly!

See Peter fifty-three days later, at 9:00 a.m. on the day the Jewish Church celebrates Pentecost.  He is no longer weak--he is empowered.  He is no longer afraid--he is emboldened.  He is no longer inconsistent--his heart is fixed forever on Jesus. 

It had been wonderful to have Christ with him the last three years, but it was far greater to have the "Spirit of Christ" within him that day, and everyday thereafter.  (Romans 8:9-11).

 

The Lord's prayer was answered.  He had prayed the Peter would be converted and he was!

 

When the multitudes gathered around the disciples to ask what they should do, Peter answered, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." (Acts 2:38ff).

That sanctifying Spirit that so transformed Peter so that wherever he was, who ever he was with, and whatever he was doing, he would be found faithful, is able and willing to so transform us!

Until that day when he himself would die on a cross, Peter praised the Lord for the "living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead," that "sanctification of the Spirit," and the keeping "power of God through faith."(1 Peter 1:1-5).  And so should all who have "Christ within, the hope of glory!" (Colossians 1:27).

 

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, "Whom have I on earth beside Thee, Whom in heaven but Thee."  We honor your Word.  We love your will.  We are forever thankful for the sacrifice of your Son.  We rejoice in the presence of your Spirit.  Oh Lord God, we are so grateful that just as you were patient, and faithful, and loving to Peter, you have been more than patient, and faithful, and loving to us. May we never take your mercy and grace for granted.  Lord we pray that the same Spirit that transformed Peter would transform us.  Change who we are we pray.  We are thine now, and forever.  In Jesus' name, Amen."Our Father, &c”

THE TERRIBLE MEEK

18 Days to Resurrection Sunday

 

Matthew 26:53 “He shall give me more than 12 legions of angels…”

 

SCRIPTURE READING: MATTHEW 26:51-57

 ⁵¹And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.
 ⁵²Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
 ⁵³Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
 ⁵⁴But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
 ⁵⁵In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.
 ⁵⁶But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
 ⁵⁷And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. 

REFLECTION:  We expect the vanquished will surrender and victors will never acquiesce.  Behold Christ, the Captain of “The terrible meek.”

Meekness is not to be confused with weakness.  Christ is meek.  He is far from weak.  His power extends to every corner of the globe and throughout the vast universe.  At his arrest in Gethsemane, He testified, “Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53).  In my mind’s eye I see the skies filled with thousands of angels armed with flaming swords, standing at attention and readied to secure our Lord’s release and execute judgment on His pitiful captors. It was an order that was never given.

 

He “who upholds all things by the word of His power”(Hebrews 1:3) laid down His life, no man took it from Him.  (John 10:17,18).  That is meekness, perfect meekness on display.

 

And in what sense is He “terrible?”  In this: He is “extremely formidable.” 

 

He is terrible because He has need of nothing and cannot be tempted or bought. He is terrible because even the threat and suffering of death itself cannot diminish His love or destroy His redemptive mission. He is terrible because He is willing to pay the ultimate price, even the shameful death of the cross, to save every lost child of Adam’s race.

 

Jesus defeated the actual “Axis of Evil”—Sin, Satan, and Sorrow—without lifting a sword, commanding an army, or presiding over a political campaign.He won by losing. He gained by giving. He triumphed by surrender. He captured by loving.

He could not be conquered, vanquished, or extinguished. “Hallelujah! for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth!” (Revelation 19:6). “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” (Revelation 5:12).

And think of this.  We are Christ’s body in the world today.  Tom Wright reminds us, “When God want to sort out the world, to put it to rights once and for all, he doesn’t send in the tanks, as people often think He should.  He sends in the meek.” 

Charles Rann Kennedy, a playwright of the last century, has the centurion posted at the foot of Calvary say to our Lord’s blessed mother, “I tell you woman, this dead Son of yours, disfigured, shamed, spat upon, has built a Kingdom this day that can never die. The living glory of Him rules it. The earth is His and He made it. He and His brothers have been molding and making it through the long ages; they are the only ones who ever really did possess it; not the proud, not the idle, not the vaunting empires of the world. Something has happened up here on this hill today to shake all of our kingdoms of blood and fear to the dust. The earth is His.  The earth is theirs.  And they made it.  The meek, the terrible meek, are about to enter into their inheritance.”  (From “The Terrible Meek”)

May God grant that we would follow in the footsteps of the Captain of our Salvation!  “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the land.” (Matthew 5:5).

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, With the Apostle we glory in the cross!  We are drawn, just as you taught us we would be, to our Lord Jesus Christ who was lifted up, suspended between heaven and earth on an Old Rugged Cross.  Nothing in our hands we bring—not our precise theology, not our impressive deeds—simply to thy cross we cling.  Lord fill us with that same spirit of Meekness that possessed our Savior.  May we in every way, and at all times submit to do your will. And grant that we will not only inherit the earth, but one day inhabit that place you have gone to prepare for us.  We love you Lord Jesus.  We pray all this in your strong name, Amen.  “Our Father, &c.”

FRIEND WHY?

19 Days to Resurrection Sunday

Matthew 26:50 “Friend, wherefore art thou come?”

 

SCRIPTURE READING: MATTHEW 26:46-56

⁴⁶Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.

 ⁴⁷And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.

 ⁴⁸Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.

 ⁴⁹And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.

 ⁵⁰And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took him.

 ⁵¹And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.

 ⁵²Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

 ⁵³Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

 ⁵⁴But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

 ⁵⁵In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.

 ⁵⁶But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
 

REFLECTION:  Judas kissed Jesus.  What a sinner.

 

Jesus called Judas “Friend.” (Matthew 26:50) What a Savior.

 

The sincerity of sinners is always suspect.  When men relax their grasp of Truth—the Person and the principle—Satan inevitably takes advantage.  The Bible says specifically, “Satan entered into Judas.” Slowly but wholly the enemy was given control.  The Apostle Paul speaks of degenerates who “glory in their shame.”(Philippians 3:19).  Have you ever noticed how backsliders are notable for advertising their super-spirituality, unashamedly exhibiting their new found “liberty,” and fellowshipping with others who like themselves have lost their fear and love of God. Finally every vestige of virtue is lost.  What appear to be expressions of love (i.e. a kiss) become hypocritical displays.  It is no wonder Judas couldn’t stand himself.

In contrast the integrity of Christ is never in doubt.

 

When Jesus called Judas “Friend” there is no doubt but that He meant it.  Only hours before they were sitting together at the Passover table.  Jesus knew what Judas had done.  He knew what Judas was doing.  And He knew what Judas was going to do.

 

So why did Jesus call Judas “Friend?”

 

…First and foremost it must be to show that Christ loved him, “unto the end.” 

…Second, it was our Lord’s last effort to convince the betrayer to repent of his horrid plot. Christ knew that once Satan had used Judas, he would throw him away on the rocks in the field of blood. (Matthew 27:8).

 

…Third, it was to show us how to face persecution—returning good for evil.

 

…Finally, it was to remind us that if we are lost, it will not be because our Lord was against us. 

 

Remember our Lord’s parable of the man who gained access to the wedding feast without having on the wedding garment. The King of the feast asked him, “Friend, how camest thou in here not having on the wedding garment?” (Matthew 22:12).  Sure the man was cast out of the feast for failing to wear the robe the King provided, yet the King still called him “Friend.”

 

Judgment is not based on whether or not God loves us.  That is settled.  He is the best friend we will ever know.  Judgment is based on whether or not we love God.  Will it be said of us, as it was of Abraham, “He was the friend of God.”(2 Chronicles 20:7, James 2:23).

Ah, soul! are you here without comfort and rest,
Marching down the rough pathway of time?
Make Jesus your Friend ere the shadows grow dark;
O accept of this peace so sublime!

By Warren D. Cornell

 

Jesus what a friend of sinners,
Jesus! Lover of my soul;
Friends may fail me, foes assail me,
He, my Savior, makes me whole!

Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Hallelujah! what a Friend!Saving, helping, keeping, loving,
He is with me to the end.

            By J. Wilbur Chapman

 

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, “What a Friend we have in Jesus!”  Our hearts are stirred when we think that you sent your Only Begotten Son into this world to be a friend to the friendless.  We pray that throughout this day we will remember that our Friend is with us. May that knowledge bring courage when we are fearful, bring confidence when we are in doubt, bring salvation when we have strayed, and bring heaven when we stand before Thee.  May we so live that at the close of our life’s short day, it will be said of us, as it was of Abraham, “He was the friend of God.”  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.“Our Father, &c”