March 19 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Matthew 26:47-56:

⁴⁷And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
⁴⁸Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.
⁴⁹And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.
⁵⁰And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took him.
⁵¹And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.
⁵²Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
⁵³Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
⁵⁴But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
⁵⁵In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.
⁵⁶But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

Devotional

After his suffering in Gethsemane, Jesus went forth to meet his enemies; Judas met him and betrayed him with a kiss. Peter tried to defend him with the sword, but Jesus said unto him, "Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword." Then they took Jesus, bound him and led him away. "All this was done that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled." They all had thought that they were able to die with him. The declaration of Scripture was fulfilled: "Smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered." They who had seen Jesus' miracles (how He stilled the storm on the sea, and how He controlled evil spirits that no man could tame; they who even now had been assured by Jesus that He could ask his Father, and He would send him twelve legions of angels for his and their protection) left him to seek safety elsewhere. Shall we condemn them?

Have we not often put our trust in an arm of flesh? Have we not often fled, when we should have continued steadfastly with Jesus? When very great danger seems imminent, man shows that he is flesh. His only safety is to acknowledge his weakness and to put his trust in Christ, who was bound that we might be freed from our sin.

Prayer

Eternal God and Father, teach us how weak and frail we are; how prone we are to depart from Thee and Thy Word, and in the face of danger to forsake Thee. We would pray with Thy servant of old: Draw me, we will run after Thee. Strengthen us that we may remain faithful unto Thee. May we consider him, that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest we be wearied and faint in our minds. May the peace of God keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Amen.

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Scripture in Devotional: Matt. 26:52, John 18:12, 13; Zech. 13:7; Mark 4:39; 5:4; Matt. 26:53.

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