“And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself.  The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the temple treasury, since it is the price of blood” (Matthew 27:5-6).

Disgusted, he threw the money away.  It is as if Judas was asking himself why he did it.  The pharisees, always thinking legally, treated the money as if it were tainted rather than thinking it was their souls that were tainted.  They were not thinking the way the Lord would have us think.  They went through the motions utterly lost in their sin.  At every point, we are offered grace to move out of sinning and into learning how to live a life of obedience.

Lord, I see clearly that You are not in the business of condemning us.  The law, strict as it is, has already done that.  You offer us every opportunity to repent, get out of ourselves and learn how to obey Your perfect will.  I cling to what is temporary and do not cling to You who are eternal.  Take me from where I am to where I need to be so that I may walk in the promise of Your salvation.

Lord Jesus, for all these things You went to the cross in order to free me from myself.  Continue the journey with me so that I may run the race and finish the course You have set before me.  Let me not become despondent or so self-absorbed that I take matters into my own hands, but lead me out of myself to learn humility and willing obedience to all that You set before me.  Amen.

“Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? See to that yourself!” (Matthew 27:3-4)

We may have remorse in our lives, but does it drive us to repentance; or is it one more element of disappointment that reminds us that we are not in control?  Judas betrayed God.  He was used, just as this world uses many, but every opportunity to repent was rejected.  The world says, “What is that to us?”  The Lord desires that we repent and receive His grace.  We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

Lord, You know all things.  You know how all of this will play out.  Lead me Lord so that I neither betray You, nor refuse to repent when caught in sin.  You give every opportunity, so help me to take every opportunity that You give.  Lead me out of this world’s way of thinking so that I may put on the mind of Christ.  Help me every step of the way and let my eyes look to You as the source of salvation.

Lord Jesus, You have been betrayed by us all.  Time and again, You offer grace, asking us to repent and turn to You.  Guide me in the way You would have me go so that I live according to the goodness and mercy that You give.  Help me every step of the way so that I walk in Your ways and not according to what I may want or even think.  Lead me in the way of salvation, whatever that may take and whatever that may mean.  Amen.

“Now when morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus to put Him to death; and they bound Him, and led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate the governor” (Matthew 27:1-2).

The world has lived the lie that if they could get rid of God, they could do what they want.  People pretend He is not here.  Others ignore Him.  Here, they plot to crucify Him.  Be rid of the reality and live the illusion.  But this is neither true, nor sustainable.  The Creator and Sustainer of the universe IS and He will bring all things together for good for those who love Him.  The Father’s will shall be done.

Lord, there is such sadness in this world where there are so many who deny You and even reality itself.  But You have called me into light and life.  Guide me, Lord, in the way of living that is right so that I dwell in Your presence always.  You, who went to the cross for my sake, have come into my life to lift me out of the rebellion and illusions of this age.  Lead me, Lord, to do the Father’s will, no matter what it may be.

Lord Jesus, I am barely able to grasp Your willingness to go through the trial and condemnation for my sake, yet You did.  Help me to meet the trials and tribulations that will come my way so that I too am willing to live the life of faith You have given me by grace, no matter what may come.  Hold me steadfastly to the narrow way of truth, and lead me now and always according to the Father’s will.  Amen.

“And Peter remembered the statement that Jesus had made: “Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly” (Matthew 26:75).

What can you do when you are confronted with absolute truth?  You can go deeper into evil, or you can repent.  With every repentance, there is a lesson learned.  The harder the fall, the greater the lesson.  The Lord knows what we are going to do.  He gives us grace so that we may repent, learn the lesson and grow in the likeness of Christ.

Lord, I often bluff and pretend that I am better than I am.  It does me no good and only feeds my pride.  Teach me to be quick to repent.  Teach me to learn how to avoid the places and situations where I need to repent.  Through all things, continue to lead me to become more and more like You each day.  Lead me through all bitterness of this age to turn to You, the Savior who saves.

Lord Jesus, with great compassion, You led the disciples through all of their trials.  You have come into my life to lead me through all of my trials.  No matter the bitterness that comes, especially the bitterness I bring upon myself, lead me by Your grace to look to You always and never betray the goodness of the faith which You have given me.  At all times, save me Lord so that I may be with You forever.  Amen.

“A little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “You really are one of them as well, since even the way you talk gives you away.”  Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed” (Matthew 26:73-74).

Anger, cursing and swearing.  I’ve often wondered why those things go together.  What is it in the rebellious spirit that so quickly moves down hill? It is as if we want to convince others of the merit of the anger.  But the Lord sees through all things and He knows.  Just as Jesus told Peter it would, it came to pass.  Just as He has told us, it will come to pass.  Though we may deny Him, He will not deny those who trust Him.

Lord, help me to see the places where I use pretense to pretend that I am better than I am.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to live in such a way that I am consistent.  Then, in consistency, teach me how to avoid those places where I would deny You.  You have gone to the cross for all of those who believe and have prayed for us before the Father.  Lead me to understand faithfulness.

Lord Jesus, in love You told Peter of His betrayal.  In love, You tell each of us our flaws and faults.  You are creating in those who believe a new life.  Lead me fully into the life You have given me by grace.  Guide me to understand and know the truth that You have spoken.  When and where I stumble and ignore Your word of truth, restore me so that I may walk with You always.  Amen.

“When he had gone out to the gateway, another slave woman saw him and said to those who were there, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.”  And again he denied it, with an oath: “I do not know the man” (Matthew 26:71-72).

Lies beget lies and eventually the lies crumble.  We are often being watched and we never know who sees what.  The Lord of all sees us always and knows all that we do.  We may think that we are clever with our disguises, but we are not.  It is better to live with the truth that to be shrouded with the layers of lies that are common in this age.  Jesus has told us that the truth will set us free.

Lord, I do not know what I am doing.  There are so many layers and I am covered by the nonsense of this age.  Help me Lord to live the life You have placed before me.  Guide me in the Gospel way so that I do not play the games of this world and then pretend that no one sees me.  Teach me to hold my tongue and not swear falsely or with a lie to preserve myself.  Teach me to be transparent.

Lord Jesus, even though I have denied You, You have never denied me.  You went to the cross for all of my sins.  Lead me in the transformation of my heart so that no matter what comes, I am willing to pay whatever price may be extracted.  Guide me in the goodness of Your mercy and grace to live into the life You have offered me.  When others accuse, may Your Holy Spirit give me the words to speak.  Amen.

“Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a slave woman came to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.”  But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about” (Matthew 26:69-70).

We hide from the truth when we think we are threatened.  Our instinct is to preserve our life by cowering, fleeing, or denying what we know to be true.  At all costs, save yourself.  But we cannot and will not.  We need to be saved.  Even though we deny the Lord, He will not deny those who come to Him in repentance.  We are called to submit to the Lord and learn to obey all that He commands.

Lord, You know how I cower and how I am afraid.  I am no different than every other sinner out there.  I will lie to save my own skin.  Guide me so that I do not live in fear, but live willingly proclaiming the truth with all that I am.  You suffered more than I can imagine for my sake.  Help me to pay the price for my faith knowing that You have given me what I need to be able to do even this.

Lord Jesus, You drank the cup of suffering as even those closest to You denied You.  Teach me from this to have fortitude and stand firm in the faith You have given me.  Lead me to not deny the truth, but speak it no matter the cost.  You have told me that I too would suffer for Your name’s sake.  Though I do not look for trouble, help me to stand firm in You when it comes.  Amen.

“Then they spit in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him, and said, “Prophesy to us, You Christ; who is the one who hit You?” (Matthew 26:67)

People in this world mock God.  They take the little power they have and pretend it is equal with the Lord.  The Lord allows things in this age for His purpose.  We may seem to get away with such mockery, but we will not.  When the unrepentant continue sinning, it seers the soul and accelerates the broad way to destruction.  The Lord, who knows all things, is long suffering, but the final day will come when all stand before this same One who took the mockery that day.

Lord, You have come to redeem those who would cease living in rebellion to follow You.  This world mocks You and in following You, the faithful receive its mockery.  Hatred fills this world and those who are opposed to You will strike out with hatred.  Take us from the way of this world into Your hands of mercy and grace so that we may learn to love You as You first loved us.

Lord Jesus, Love Incarnate, You bore the stripes for my iniquities.  Like a sheep before its sheerer, You did not fight back.  Guide me in the way of everlasting life so that I am rid of the anger and hatred of this world.  Let me not make demands of You, but humbly submit to Your authority and follow You now and always.  You are the Lord of all and You have done all that is needed for our salvation.  Lead me Lord.  Amen

“Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? See, you have now heard the blasphemy; what do you think?” They answered, “He deserves death!” (Matthew 26:65)

They said He bore false witness against God.  Either He spoke truth or He was a liar.  He cannot be just a great teacher and not the Messiah, for He would be a liar and that would mean that He is not great.  The world would have us pay lip service to Jesus while denying some of His words.  The Lord would have you fall at His feet and worship Him.  These are the two paths before us.

Eternal Lord God who has spoken to us through Christ, this deceitful world tells us that we can play two ends to the middle.  You have made it plain that it is all or nothing.  To come to You is to choose life and walk in the way of the world is to reject You which leads to eternal death.  Be the guide of all who submit to You, leading us out of the deceit of this age to live for You.  You have set before us the way of everlasting life.

Lord Jesus, You know the way I need to go.  Help me to not go half way, but all the way into the life You have placed before me.  In Your grace, guide me today and every day to live into the life for which You are preparing me.  There are lies and blasphemes is this world.  Help me to see them for what they are.  There are those who lie and tell me what they say is true.  Help me to see clearly the truth of my situation.  Guide me into all truth.  You are truth.  Amen.

“Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming on the clouds of heaven” (Matthew 26:64).

Where is Jesus?  Sitting at the right hand of the Father.  He is the source of godly action in this world.  He is the One through whom all things have their being.  Do not be deceived by the recurring lies of this age, but be transformed by the truth which He has spoken.  Lord, You are truth, for all that exists has come through You.  You will return just as You have said.  The world will continue to live the lies of this age.

We need help and the Holy Spirit has come so that we may be led through the smoke and mirrors of this age.  In Jesus alone is all hope and the only future worth living.  Through Jesus, we have our being.  In Him we have grace, mercy, and true life.  Do not fall into the traps of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of Your minds and hearts, listening to the word of truth which He has spoken.

Lord Jesus, You have told us these things so that we may know what is coming.  The world continues to believe its fantasies, but You have spoken truth.  Guide me in the way of truth.  Help me to see through the smoke of this age and hold fast to the words You have spoken.  Through all that may come in this life, help me to hold on, especially when trials come.  In You, I have eternal hope.  Keep me in that hope.  Amen.