9/22/09

Matthew 26:57-75 (New International Version)

Before the Sanhedrin
57Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. 58But 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.
59The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.

Finally two came forward 61and declared, "This fellow said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.' "

62Then 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?" 63But Jesus remained silent.
The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ,[a] the Son of God."

64"Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."

65Then 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. 66What do you think?"
"He is worthy of death," they answered.

67Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 68and said, "Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?"

Peter Disowns Jesus
69Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. "You also were with Jesus of Galilee," she said.
70But he denied it before them all. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said.

71Then he went out to the gateway, where another girl saw him and said to the people there, "This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth."

72He denied it again, with an oath: "I don't know the man!"

73After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, "Surely you are one of them, for your accent gives you away."

74Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, "I don't know the man!"

Immediately a rooster crowed. 75Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: "Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Jesus declared ihis royalty in no uncertain terms. In saying he was the son of man, Jesus was claiming t be the messiah, as his listeners well knew.He knew this declaration would be his earthly undoing, but he did not panic. He was calm, courageous, and determined. The religious leaders refused to even consider that Jesus' words might be true. In doing so, they sealed their own fate. You must decide whether Jesus' words are blasphemy or truth. Your decision has eternal implications.

Peter denied Jesus three times as predicted. Believers who deny Christ often begin doing so subtly by pretending not to know him. When religion comes up, they walk away. Some may deny flatly their relationship with Christ. If you find yourself subtly diverting conversation so you don't have to talk about Christ, watch out. You may be on the road to disowning him.

You are as close to God as you choose to be. Choose to be honest with him. He doesn't expect you to be perfect, but he does expect complete honesty. God uses everythng for good in our lives, so don't hold in your true feelings. God always acts in your best interest. Choose to obey God in faith. Choose to value what God values and desire friendship with God more than anything else.

Dear hevenly Father, I pray that you help me to be honest with you and others today. Please allow me to be transpernt with everyone. I pray for my friends and family that you meet their needs as you are the only one that knows them. I pray for our nation and our youth that you give them the strength and wisdom to make the right decisions. I pray that you are standing close to me as I reenter the work force today. I pray for this Bible study that we are about to begin and that you get all the glory from it. Thank you so much for all the blessings that you bestow on me and my family. Forgive me where I fail you. In your precious name I pray.......amen.