Welcome to the “But first, Bible” daily devotional podcast with Dave Miers.
Our readings today are from Leviticus 14 and Matthew 26:55-75.
I shared a couple of weeks ago two of my favourite books, the New Bible Commentary and the New Bible Dictionary. Both excellent tools to help you dig a little deeper into God’s word. Go check out the Feb 5 podcast for more details.
I wanted to briefly share another resource today. Over at esv.org you can now access the Global Study Bible for free. It’s a really simple guide that will give you insights into the text, characters, and other related cross-references in the Bible. Go check it out and let me know how you find it.
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Today, we will continue our study of Matthew 26 as we see Jesus get even closer to his death on the cross. I want to focus on two of Jesus’ disciples and their role in these events.
Judas and Peter.
First, Judas. Earlier in Matthew 26, Judas agrees to hand over Jesus to the chief priests for 30 pieces of silver. And by this part of our reading, it has now happened.
Matthew 26:47–50
[47] While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. [48] Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” [49] And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. [50] Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. (ESV)
Second, Peter. Earlier in Matthew 26 Jesus has already foretold that Peter would deny Jesus 3 times.
Matthew 26:69–75
[69] Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” [70] But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” [71] And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” [72] And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” [73] After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” [74] Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. [75] And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly. (ESV)
It’s easy reading the accounts of Judas and Peter and thinking how awful it is for two men who have followed Jesus, walked with Jesus, ate with Jesus, and been loved by Jesus to then go on to betray Jesus and deny Jesus.
What Have We Done? is a song performed by Kings Kaleidoscope and written by Joe Day. I love the way that the first verses positions us in the story. Check it out,
Oh my soul, oh my Jesus
Judas sold you for 30,
I’d have done it for lessOh my soul, oh my Saviour
Peter denied you 3 times,
I have denied you more(Joe Day).
Do you think Judas and Peter were evil for what they did? Well, we’re just as bad in how we’ve treated Jesus. The reality is that we are all implicated in the death of Jesus. We are all part of the reason why Jesus went to the cross in the first place. It’s because of our sin and rebellion that Jesus had to die.
And yet, the remarkable thing about the death of Jesus in the place of sinners like Judas, Peter, me, and you is that he willingly did it out of his great love for us.
Until tomorrow, keep trusting Jesus.