Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: Matthew 26 and Psalm 26

In Matthew 26, Jesus faced a huge variety of responses. Radical opposition (v.1-5), indignant misunderstanding (v.8-9) and murderous betrayal (v.14-16) contrasted deeply with lavish love (v.6-7) and great generosity and kindness (v.17-19). Judas tried to fool Jesus (v.20-25), while Peter was only fooling himself (v.31-35). And eventually, the authorities clamped down and arrested Him with a completely unnecessary show of force (v.47-55). He was lied about, mistreated, disrespected, spat on, punched and slapped.

I marvel that Jesus was never swayed by the opinions and reactions of others. Had He been, He would surely never have completed His mission. One moment He would have been turned back by fear, the next by confusion, and then swayed this way and that by popular expectations.

But, because He was so utterly committed to doing the Father’s will and to accomplishing all that the Father had called Him to do, Jesus was able to persist in obeying the Father, even when it cost Him everything.

In that stunning prayer of v.39 & 42, we see the inspiring attitude by which Jesus lived His whole life:

‘‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will … My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.’

Life Application: Take time to reflect on the attitude of your own heart. What drives you and inspires you in your daily life? is it the desire to please the Father and to see His will done in your life? Pray that He would grant you the grace to live in step with His will in all situations and at all times today.

“Test me, Lord, and try me,
    examine my heart and my mind;
for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love
    and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.” (Psalm 26:2-3)