trying to find His way
Reflecting on Matthew 27:27-31 “Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him.” (Matthew 27:29)As a Jesus follower, this is not something I want to follow.Yes to the way of love, but no to this way of suffering.Yet is it possible to genuinely love, and not suffer? What is it in these soldiers that makes them…
Reflecting on Matthew 27:11-26 “He knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.” (Matthew 27:18)As a Jesus follower, my life is on display before the world.People who experience me can sense how I am, and what motivates me.Jesus says that love is what people should notice in us (John 13:35). Here Pilate…
Reflecting on Matthew 27:1-10 “So Judas threw the money into the temple and left.” (Matthew 27:5)As a Jesus follower, I also face moments of failure and regret.In the moment you do what seems right or best.In hindsight you realize it was a mistake, or unwise.Depending on what it was, it may lead you to despair. Some people…
Reflecting on Matthew 26:69-75 “Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken.” (Matthew 26:75)As a Jesus follower, I want to remember the words Jesus spoke.Though not because those words always make me feel good.Peter heard Jesus speak many words, but these words really moved him.“And he went outside and wept bitterly.” (Matthew 26:75)Peter is experiencing deep conviction, awareness…
Reflecting on Matthew 26:69-75 “He began to call down curses, and swore to them, ‘I don’t know the man!’” (Matthew 26:74)As a follower of Jesus, I am sometimes asked about what I believe.These situations are never dangerous, like Peter was facing here.But sometimes my reputation might be at risk, how people view me.I can’t say that I…
Reflecting on Matthew 26:57-67 “Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” (Matthew 26:63)As followers of Jesus, we believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God.But what exactly do these words mean? The word messiah means ‘anointed one’ in Hebrew.In Greek the word is christ, a title we still use today.For the…
Reflecting on Matthew 57-67 “But Jesus remained silent.” (Matthew 26:63)As a Jesus follower, I want to learn the wisdom of silence.Not always, but knowing when it is wise to remain silent.There is “a time to be silent and a time to speak.” (Ecclesiastes 3:7) When someone is criticizing or challenging me, I should pause.Do they really want to…
Reflecting on Matthew 47-56 “Put your sword back in its place!” (Matthew 26:52)As a Jesus follower, non-violence needs to be a priority.This is a hard thing to consider, especially when threatened.Christians are divided over this issue, some ready to draw their swords.They can use the Old Testament to justify this.But they cannot use Jesus to justify this….
Reflecting on Matthew 26:36-46 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” (Matthew 26:41)As a Jesus follower I feel the need to watch and pray.Jesus is urging disciples to pay attention and be alert.Yet does this mean we should be paranoid, seeing evil everywhere?How do we experience the peace of Jesus like this?How do…
Reflecting on Matthew 26:36-46. “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.” (Matthew 26:39)As a follower of Jesus, I can relate to this prayer.There have been many times when I’ve prayed, ‘God, please, no!’Sometimes the Father does take the cup away.But many times I had to drink the cup anyway. Recently I…