June 5, 2013
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 26:64-68
OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION
The reason Jesus’ words enrage the Jewish leaders is because He is claiming to be promised Messiah, as described by the prophet Daniel.
“In my vision I saw One who looked like a son of man. He was coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Eternal God. He was led right up to him. And he was given authority, glory and a kingdom. People from every nation and language worshiped him. His authority will last forever. It will not pass away. His kingdom will never be destroyed. (Daniel 7:13-14)
They rejected His claim to be God’s anointed (‘christos’ – “prophesy to us, Christ!”), they considered it a huge blasphemy against God.
Consider what the implications of Jesus’ claim are: if He is God’s Messiah, then…
— He is like a son of man (human), yet He is something more
— He is backed by God’s authority and power (the clouds of heaven)
— He has stood with God (and is therefore sinless, able to stand before God)
— He has been made then highest authority in all creation
— He deserves and receives the worship of all nations (see Matthew 28:16-20).
— He is the Master (Lord) of the Universe, and His rule is final, will never be ended!
If Jesus is Lord, then what He says is true, and we need to submit to and obey Him.
Jesus’ words here are challenging me to consider whether I submit to Jesus as my Master/Lord, or just look to Him for forgiveness, salvation and comfort as my Saviour.
See Psalm 2, where God’s anointed provokes a response – resist or submit!
Do I love the King, do I submit to Him, am I obeying Him, am I loyal to Him?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, there are only two choices: resist or submit. Neutrality does not count, it is the same as resisting. Help me not to spit in your face by resisting or rejecting You. Help me to welcome You as Saviour AND Lord.
Observation:
Jesus once again spoke what was to happen but the religious leaders had eyes that did not see. They were blinded by their own visions. They were threatened by His position and thus they spit at Him, struck Him, slapped Him. They rejected the King of kings.
Application:
We are either for or against Jesus. All the activities of this day show the same – for or against. I must live in His power and not my own for I am not my own. I belong to Him. And so what do my actions say? Am I a living letter showing that I belong to Him? Help me this dayLord to live for Jesus.
Prayer:
Help me this day Lord to be GodStrong in all I do and say.
Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
Refrain
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.
Living for Jesus Who died in my place,
Bearing on Calvary my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.
Refrain
Living for Jesus, wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy Name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross.
Refrain
Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,
My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;
Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.