Matthew 26

Matthew 26:1

Chapter 25 marked the end of the preaching and teaching ministry of Jesus Christ. The Passover feast was a yearly event in Jerusalem commemorating the delivery of God’s people from Egypt. Josephus tells us that in Jesus’ day, 250,000 lambs were slaughtered in commemoration of Passover. Since Exodus prescribed that one lamb be sacrificed for every ten people, we can conclude that there must have been at least 2.5 million people in Jerusalem for this festival. Between the hours of three and five o’clock, the 250,000 lambs would be slaughtered in the temple in preparation for Passover. Blood would have flowed freely from the temple into the Kidron Valley below the temple mount, causing the Kidron brook to actually turn blood-red. Later in this chapter, we will see Jesus leaving Gethsemane and crossing over this creek. Its color must have been a graphic reminder to Him of what was to come as He, the Lamb of God, would shed His own blood for our sin.

Matthew 26:3

Originally, the position of high priest was passed from father to son through the Levitical line. But when the Romans came into the area and seized control of the nation, they began appointing the high priest and he became their political puppet. Caiaphas was the son of Annas. Annas chose to remove himself from the office of high priest, allowing Caiaphas to serve in his place. This was because Annas had four other sons who were making money from temple concessions, and he didn’t want to jeopardize their thriving business. Think back with me. What did Jesus do with their concession tables? He overturned them (Mat_21:12). Consequently, Caiaphas and Annas were determined to destroy Jesus. Not only were they jealous of His widespread fame and following among the people, but they were angry that He was upsetting their money-making operation and cutting into their profit margin.

Matthew 26:6

Simon the leper must have been one who had been healed by Jesus. Otherwise, he would have lived in a leper colony outside the city limits.

Matthew 26:7

We know from John’s Gospel that this woman was Mary, the sister of Martha. Mary was a worshiper. She is mentioned three times in Scripture, each time at the feet of Jesus. Mary found her blessing at Jesus’ feet. Luke writes of the time Jesus was at the home of Mary and Martha. Martha was in the kitchen, saying, “Lord tell Mary to come here. She’s just sitting at Your feet, listening to Your words, and I need help.” Jesus, however, told Martha that Mary had chosen the better part (Luk_10:42). Mary brought her burden to Jesus’ feet. John writes that when Lazarus died, Mary ran out to meet Jesus, fell at His feet, and said, “Lord if You had been here, our brother would not have died” (Joh_11:21). Mary gave her best at Jesus’ feet. John writes that after she anointed Jesus with the oil in the alabaster box, she wiped His feet with her hair. John tells us that the ointment within the alabaster box was worth three hundred pence. This was Mary’s dowry, her ticket to marriage (Joh_12:3).

Matthew 26:8

John’s Gospel tells us exactly which disciple was the most indignant. It was Judas who said, “This is a waste. You could have done something much more practical with this ointment.” “It’s a waste,” Judas said. Yet in a few hours, Jesus would call Judas himself the son of perdition, or literally, “the son of waste” (Joh_17:12). People who don’t love God or understand His ways always see worship as a waste. Please understand this about worship, fellow worshipers: As she broke the alabaster box and poured the ointment upon Jesus, Mary showed us that worship often comes through breaking,. When do you really become a worshiper? When you’re broken. When finally you’re at your wits’ end, you humble yourself before the Lord and worship Him. Worship comes from brokenness. Worship not only comes from brokenness, but true worship is often costly. It cost Mary her dowry. What does worship cost you and me? Our image. “There’s no way I’m going to sing those songs. I’m too cool for that,” some say. “I don’t care if Scripture declares lifting hands is a sign of submission and adoration, I’ll never lift mine. People will think I’m weird.” Worship is often misunderstood. There will always be those in Judas’ corner who say, “Quit trying to be so holy. Do something more practical.” But although worship comes through brokenness and although worship is sometimes costly, worship is always beneficial. After Mary wiped the feet of Jesus with her hair, her hair took on the same fragrance as Jesus’ feet. That’s what worship does. When you’re worshiping the Lord, you take on the fragrance of the Lord. John goes on to tell us that after Mary broke the alabaster box, the entire house was filled with the aroma of the ointment (Joh_12:3). Mom and Dad, does your house stink? Do you find there’s tension in the air? Do you feel your marriage is on the rocks? Do you worry your kids are falling apart? Let me tell you the secret of Mary: The whole house took on the fragrance of Jesus because she was at His feet.

Take Mary’s mindset. Dad, when your house “stinks,” gather your wife and your kids around you and say, “Let’s stop and seek the Lord’s blessing for a few minutes.” You will be amazed how this will affect the aroma of your house. I suggest that perhaps the key isn’t always counseling or child-rearing classes. As helpful as those things might be, the real power lies at Jesus’ feet. Mary discovered this and the whole world knows her story.

Matthew 26:10

Why did Mary anoint Jesus’ body for burial? Because, although He had told His disciples repeatedly that He had come to Jerusalem to die, I suggest Mary was the only one who really understood this. You see, in Jesus’ time, bodies were anointed after burial in order to reduce the stench of putrefaction. Yet Mary anointed His body before He died. Why? Because, just as David prophesied, I suggest it was because she knew He would not see corruption, or literally, putrefaction (Psa_49:9). She knew He would rise again. How did she know this? Revelation and adoration are intricately linked together. When you’re at the feet of Jesus in worship, you see things others don’t. It’s amazing what you’ll see when, like Mary, you take the time to sit at His feet.

Matthew 26:14

“Judas” means “praise.” It’s a beautiful name, but Judas wasted it and ruined it for future generations. How many parents name their kids Judas today? “Isacariot” most likely means he was from the town of Carioth. Judas of Carioth was the only one of all the disciples from the southern region of Israelthe educated, wealthy region of the country. So impressive was Judas that the disciples appointed him treasurer. I believe it was his disappointment with Jesus that prompted Judas to entertain a betrayal mentality. I believe that when Judas initially followed Jesus, he was excited about the prospect of a kingdom being set up on earth. But when Jesus began leaving the area every time the multitude wanted to make Him king, perhaps Judas felt his heart sink. So, too, I see a tendency in people today to sell out when they get disappointed in Jesus. “I thought Jesus would bless my business if I became a Christian,” they say. “But what happened? I went bankrupt.” If we’re not careful, a Judas mentality will creep in and we’ll sell out.

Matthew 26:16

The other Gospels tell us that the man the disciples were to look for would be carrying a water jug. In those days, men didn’t carry water jugs. That was “woman’s work.” Thus, a man carrying a water jug would have stood out. Evidently, the owner of this house was an unnamed friend of Jesus. He was one who worked behind the scenes, making the necessary preparations so Jesus could celebrate Passover with His disciples. I believe there is a special place in heaven for the unnamed servant. You might be one of those people no one applauds or even acknowledges. You simply serve behind the scenes, making things right for Jesus and His people. God bless you! I’m convinced that a whole bunch of us who are seen and applauded are getting our reward now. But those who are serving secretly, those who are unnamed and unknown will be rewarded openly by our Father who sees in secret (Mat_6:6).

Matthew 26:20

When told one of their number would betray Jesus, did the disciples say, “It’s the one with the black capeit’s Judas”? No. Everyone said, “Lord, is it I?”

Matthew 26:23

One element of the Passover meal was a paste-like dip made of ground dates, figs, and nuts that was eaten with bread. It was a reminder of the mud the Israelites used in Egypt to bake bricks before God sent Moses to deliver them. At the very moment Jesus said, “He who dips His hand with Me into the dish…” Judas had his hand right there. This is intriguing to me because in Jesus’ day, the master of the home would sit in the center of a U-shaped table with the guest of honor to his left. We know from John’s Gospel that John was seated to Jesus’ right at this meal. Therefore, if Jesus and Judas were sharing the same bowl, Judas must have been seated to Jesus’ leftat the place of honor. Thus, even at this point, we see Jesus affirming Judas, saying, “Son of perdition, I’m seating you in the place of honor because I still love you.”

Matthew 26:26

The Passover became a new celebrationthe Lord’s Supper, the Eucharist, Communion. Now, if I were setting up the Lord’s Supper, I would have reversed the order. I would have served the cup first. I would have said, “Before the Body of Christ can enter into us, the blood must first cleanse us.” But Jesus didn’t follow that pattern. He gave the bread first and followed it with the cup. And in so doing, He essentially said, “I will come into you just as you are. And then I will cleanse you with My blood.” Most people have the mistaken idea that they must clean up their act and get it together before they ask Jesus into their heart. But just the opposite is true. The bread is first. He comes in and He cleans us up. It’s not perspirationour trying harder. It’s impartationJesus in us, the hope of glory.

Matthew 26:30

Notice that the worship service Jesus led after the Passover meal consisted of a single hymn. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking, “If I’m really going to worship, I’ve got to worship to the point of exhaustion.” The strength of worship is not necessarily related to the length of worship.

Matthew 26:31

Jesus quoted a prophecy from Zechariah that referred to Him personally (Zec_13:7).

Matthew 26:32

“Even though you will be offended in Me, even though you will scatter from Me, I will rise again,” Jesus said. “And when I do, I will go before you into Galilee and meet with you there.” I love Jesus Christ for this aspect of His character. You see, even when we are flaky, even when we flee, even when we are fickle, Jesus the Good Shepherd never leaves or forsakes us. Instead, He says, “I will search you out. When I rise again, I will see you and go before you into Galilee.”

Matthew 26:33

On the night of the Last Supper, Jesus said, “When I am betrayed and apprehended, you’ll all scatter.” “Not me,” said Peter. “You can count on me, Lord. I’m solid as a rock.”

Matthew 26:36

The word “gethsemane” means “oil press.” In an oil press, olives were crushed, broken, and ground up so that oil might be produced. Scripturally, oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit. The picture is clear: before the Holy Spirit could be given, Someone had to be crushed and broken. And that Someone was Jesus Christ. It is not coincidental that it was in the Garden of Gethsemane where He felt the crushing, the heaviness, and the burden of what was about to happen when He who knew no sin would become sin for us (2Co_5:21). In the Garden of Eden, man’s relationship with the Father was broken because of rebellion. In the Garden of Gethsemane, man’s relationship with the Father was restored through submission. In the Garden of Eden, the first Adam tried to hide from God. In the Garden of Gethsemane, the last Adam bared His soul to God. In the Garden of Eden, a sword was unsheathed and man was driven out. In the Garden of Gethsemane, a sword was put away and a man was healed. Jesus began to feel sorrowful and very heavy. Why? Because He knew what lay ahead. Should He go through with this plan to pay for our sins, He would not only feel the wrath of God poured upon Him as He died in our place, but His suffering would go much farther and longer than what we could possibly imagine. Jesus didn’t suffer for just a few hours on a Friday afternoon. Rev_13:8 speaks of the Lamb slain even before the foundation of the world. In the Garden of Eden a decision was made that resulted in damnation. In the Garden of Gethsemane a decision was made that resulted in salvation. But the price was incredible.

Matthew 26:39

That’s Jesusalways going a little further. He didn’t stop at Gethsemane. He went all the way to Calvary for you and for me. “Is there any other way people can be saved, Father? Can they join a church? Can they give canned goods at Christmas time? Can they treat their pets nice?” People think that if they’re just a “good person” or a “nice guy” they’ll be saved. In reality, it took nothing less than the death of Jesus Christ to save anyone from any one sin. You who are interested in prayer and faith, take note: The key to prayer is not so much “name it and claim it.” Rather, the key to prayer is “request and rest.” That’s the way Jesus prayed. “Father, if it be possible let this cup pass from Me. That’s My request. Nevertheless, not My will, but Thy will be done. That’s where I will rest.”

Matthew 26:40

Even while in prayer, Jesus began to understand and receive confirmation that it was the will of His Father that He be slaughtered as the Lamb of God for the sins of the world.

Matthew 26:43

I can relate to this. I can read TIME Magazine and be fine. But when I open the Bible or start to pray, my eyes get heavy. Why? Because Satan knows there is power in prayer and profit in Bible study. He doesn’t care if you’re reading the newspaper. But read the Word or pray, and you can count on your eyes getting heavy, the telephone ringing, the baby crying, and your stomach rumbling. When I kneel by the couch in prayer and find myself “resting in the Lord” a little too literally, I go for a walk and pray along the way. It’s much tougher to fall asleep when you’re walking!

Matthew 26:44

Understanding their humanity and frailty, Jesus looked at His disciples and said, “Sleep on.” But while His disciples were sleeping, His enemies were plotting. You can always be sure of that. There are meetings in hell to cause havoc in your family, your ministry, your occupation, and your marriage. Keep that in mind next time you opt for sleep over prayer. It’s not that the Lord condemns you for lack of prayer. It’s that the Enemy will exploit the situation. You see, prayer is not only for petition. It’s also for protection. When you pray, there is a wall of protection round about you, your family, your ministry, and your marriage that is absent when you fail to pray. Jesus didn’t collapse in this moment of temptation. The disciples did. He was praying. They were sleeping. Jesus could rise because He had been kneeling. He could stand before His enemies because He had been kneeling before His Father. “Let us be going,” Jesus said. If I were Jesus, I would have said, “You guys are a bunch of losers. You’re not coming with Me.” Not Jesus. Even after His disciples failed Him, He still included them.

Matthew 26:47

John tells us this “great multitude” was a “cohort,” or literally six hundred Roman soldiers. Six hundred Roman soldiers came to apprehend the meekest Man on the face of the earth and a handful of sleepy disciples. The Greek language indicates that Judas kissed Jesus repeatedly. Why? First, it was as a sign of identification. Jesus’ appearance was so ordinary that neither the soldiers nor the company of religious leaders could pick Him out of the small crowd of twelve men. We tend to think of Jesus as glowing, huge in stature, or somehow standing out. Not so. Judas said, “He’s so ordinary I’ll have to identify Him with a kiss.” Second, perhaps Judas continued to kiss Jesus not only to identify Him, but to occupy Him, hoping that Jesus wouldn’t pull a fast one and do a miracle or call down some angels.

Matthew 26:50

Jesus called Judas “Friend” even at the moment of betrayal. Even here, Jesus gave Judas the opportunity to turn away and to change his mind. 1Co_10:13 makes it clear that in every temptation there’s always a way out provided by God Himself. Here, Jesus is giving Judas a way out as He asks, “Friend, why are you here?” In other words, Jesus was giving Judas one last chance to change his mind.

Matthew 26:51

John tells us the one who drew his sword was Peter. In an attempt to protect Jesus, Petera better fisherman than a swordsmanlopped off the ear of Malchus, a servant of the high priest. Luke writes that following Peter’s show of force, Jesus touched Malchus’ ear and healed him. I think that’s perhaps the miracle Jesus does most: healing people who have been needlessly wounded by His followers who have used the sword of Scripture foolishly. How often we hurt one another in our attempts to protect Jesus. Ears fly everywhere, and the body of Christ is maimed because well-meaning Christians like Peter unsheathe their Bibles and start chopping away at each other.

Listen to the words of Jesus. If you are using the Sword of the Spirit to slice other people up and put other people down, put it away. You might want to remember this verse next time you feel inclined to chop up some believer. Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. But those who are unsheathing the sword indiscriminately and causing injury needlessly will die by the sword eventually.”

Matthew 26:53

A legion being six thousand, Jesus was talking about seventy-two thousand angels at His disposalquite a force, considering it took only one to wipe out 185,000 Babylonians (2Ki_19:35). What a glorious day it is when you learn you don’t have to defend Jesus Christ, when you realize that He is perfectly capable of defending Himself. Our job is not to protect, defend, or avenge. Jesus calls us to do one thing: to love.

Matthew 26:54

Jesus made it clear that He didn’t need Peter’s protection and that what was happening was in accordance with prophecy in Scripture as well as with the heart of His Father. The disciples split and Jesus was led alone from the Garden of Gethsemane to stand before Caiaphas. Jesus was not dragged before Caiaphas unwillingly. Rather, He was “brought as a lamb to the slaughter,” just as Isaiah had prophesied (Isa_53:7).

Matthew 26:58

You’re always headed for trouble when you start following Jesus afar off. Peter followed Jesus afar off right into the high priest’s palace, where Luke tells us he warmed himself by the enemy’s fire.

Matthew 26:59

A meeting of the Sanhedrin was immediately called. The Sanhedrin was the seventy-one-member Jewish Supreme Court. From the very outset, however, the trial was illegal, since Jewish Law forbade evening meetings of the Sanhedrin. The Ninth Commandment forbids bearing false witness. We have the mistaken idea that “bearing false witness” means telling big lies. But this account makes it clear that bearing false witness consists of giving the right information with the wrong implication. A false witness is not one who makes up a big fib. A false witness is simply one who is tricky with the truth. A false witness gives the right information, knowing the wrong implication will be drawn. Jesus did indeed say, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up” (see Joh_2:19). But He was speaking of the temple of His own body.

Matthew 26:62

When Jesus said, “Thou hast said…” He was saying, “I am the Son of God.” Then He went on to say, “And you will see Me in the place of exaltation.” Hearing this, the high priest did what was customary at that time when one experienced great grief or pain. Even as Jacob rent his clothes when he heard Joseph was dead and David rent his clothes when he heard Saul had died in battle, if one was really grieved, he would tear his robe from the bottom up. What’s happening here is tremendously symbolic. Unbeknownst to him, as Caiaphas rent his priestly garments with his own hands, he was in fact symbolizing the end of the old Levitical priesthood. A new priesthood is about to be establishedthe priesthood of Melchizedek. First mentioned in Genesis 14, “Melchizedek” means “prince of righteousness.” He was called the Prince of Salem, or, “Prince of Peace.” He came to Abraham with bread and wine. He had no beginning and no end. Who was Melchizedek? The Book of Hebrews tells us he was a picture of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 7).

Matthew 26:67

So brutal was the beating Jesus endured, Isaiah prophesied He would be more disfigured than any man who ever lived (Isa_53:2). His beard was plucked; His face was swollen. The spit of His accusers ran down His cheeks. He could have called ten thousand times ten thousand angels. But He didn’t. This really happened. We’re not talking about a fairy tale. We’re not talking about poetic mythology or esoteric theology. We’re talking about a real Man who absorbed the blows, who felt the pain, who endured the spit, the insult, and the agony because He was thinking about you. “Oh, Jon, you’re being dramatic,” you say. “He wasn’t thinking about me. How could He be? We’re only talking about a few hours of suffering and dying. There wasn’t enough time to think about everyone individually.” Not true. You see, we’re talking about an event that took place before the foundation of the world and that continues on into eternity. The biggest problem we who are familiar with the Gospel story face is thinking of Jesus dying generically for the whole world. We need to understand that He died for each of us individually and for each of our sins specifically. How do I know this? Because in the Old Testament, every single sin had to be atoned for specifically (Lev_1:4). Forgiveness had to be meted out individually. Spend some time contemplating that. Listen to Jesus praying, “Father, if it’s possible that people can be saved any other way, let this cup pass from Me. Nevertheless, Thy will be done.” See Him with blood-soaked face leaving the Garden of Gethsemane, His disciples fleeing in fear. Watch as He is led blindfolded before Caiaphas, lied about by false witnesses, beat up, battered, and humiliatedfor you.

Matthew 26:69

Once you become a believer, if you go back to the fires of the world, you won’t fit in. Your speech will betray you. You can try and tell dirty jokes again or try and be suggestive with your innuendoes, but people will say, “It doesn’t ring true. Your speech betrays you.” If you’ve really been born again, you can’t go back to the old fires. It doesn’t work."

Matthew 26:74

“My speech betrays me? I’ll show you some speech,” said Peter as he began to curse and swear. At that time, fishermen had the roughest language of anyone. Why? Perhaps because as their nets became entangled in the bottom of the Sea of Galilee, they had ample reason to swear. At any rate, all tangled up himself, Peter began to curse and swear once again. Because the priests felt that birds would make a mess and defile the holy city, according to city ordinances, no roosters or hens were allowed in Jerusalem. Therefore, when Peter heard the sound of a rooster crowing, it would not only remind him of Jesus’ words to him previously, but of his own sin. For just as a rooster had no place in the holy city, Peter must have known immediately that his denial of Jesus had defiled and polluted his relationship with Him.

Matthew 26:75

Luke tells us that at this moment, as Jesus was led out of the house of Caiaphas, He “turned and looked on Peter” (see Luk_22:61) with a look that must have said, “Peter I told you this would happen. I told you that you would deny Me three times. But, Peter, I’m not through with you. I love you.” The Pathway to Pain A Topical Study of Mat_26:75 Maybe you’ve said or heard the phrase, “I fell into sin.” In reality, there is no such thing. A person never “falls” into sin but rather walks into sin one step at a time. In chapter 26, we see five steps Peter took that led to his sin and sorrow. Step OneOverconfidence in the Flesh Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.Mat_26:33 “I won’t leave You, Lord,” Peter boldly declared. “Others might be offended in You. Others might turn their backs on You. But not me.” Two ducks and a frog hung out at the pond in Farmer Brown’s field. One summer, however, a drought caused the pond to dry up. For the ducks, able to fly elsewhere, this was no problem. But the frog, knowing he would literally croak if he didn’t find water soon, said to the ducks, “I’m in trouble here. But I’ve got a plan. You guys hold a stick in your bills, and I’ll jump up and grab it with my mouth. Then you start flying. I’ll hang on. And we’ll keep going until we find another pond.” The ducks said, “Sure. Sounds good.” So they put a stick between their bills. The frog jumped up and grabbed it tightly in his mouth. The ducks began to flap their wings, and suddenly the trio was airborne. Taking in the whole scene, Farmer Brown watched in amazement below. “What a brilliant idea,” he said. “I wonder who thought of it?“to which the frog opened his mouth wide and proudly answered, “I di.” Pride says, “Look what I did!” It’s an “I” problem. “Lord, I will never deny You,” said Peter. But, like the frog, even as he opened his mouth, he started going down. Step TwoSleeping Instead of Praying And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?Mat_26:40 Once I am full of pride and feel like I can make things happen, I see no reason to pray. Thus, pride and prayerlessness go hand in hand. We must never forget that prayer is not only for petition, but for protection. Prayer not only gives us what we want but also protects us from what we don’t want. I have seen things enter into my own life that otherwise wouldn’t have whenever I have stopped praying and started sleeping. And that’s what Peter discovered. Step ThreeReplacing Devotion with Action And, 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.Mat_27:51 Catch the scene: Judas comes into the Garden of Gethsemane with a cohort of Roman soldiers behind him. Peter wakes up, sees a need, and grabs his sword. A better fisherman than a swordsman, Peter manages only to lop off the ear of the high priest’s servant. Jesus healed the severed ear as much for Peter as for Malchus, for if Jesus hadn’t healed Malchus, there would have been four crosses on Calvary the next day instead of three as Peter would have been crucified for attempted murder. But just as the Lord does with us, He healed Peter’s mistake, making it impossible for Malchus to press charges. The same thing happens in the heavenly courtroom. But Jesus has forgiven the very sins of which Satan accuses us. Therefore, there is no record of them because His blood has cleansed us from all sin (1Jn_1:7). Step FourFollowing Afar Off But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace…Mat_26:58 (a) I have known so many people who have slowly but surely drifted away because they began to follow Jesus from afar. At one time, the desire of their heart was to know the Lord and to walk with Him. But then something happened. That is why Hebrews says: Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip” (see Heb_2:1). The word “slip” means “drift.” As we sail along spiritually, the danger is not that a bomb will sink us, but that we will slowly drift away. How does that happen? It happens when we fail to “give heed to the things which we have heard.” In other words, we drift when we fail to read the compass of God’s Word. There was a time, perhaps, when you needed, desired, and enjoyed getting your bearings by reading the Scriptures. But eventually you began following Jesus afar off, and the Word was no longer important. When that happens to me, I find myself drifting slowly and imperceptibly until suddenly I wonder, Where am I? How in the world did I get here? My faith didn’t sink. I just started drifting away. You and I need to set our anchor deeply in the “things which we have heard"the truths, doctrines, and principles of Scripture. Otherwise we too will be vulnerable to drifting away and following Jesus afar off. Step FiveGetting Warm by the Enemy’s Fire …and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end…and when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.Mat_26:58 (b), Luk_22:55 After following Jesus afar off, perhaps Peter thought, Maybe my old life wasn’t so bad after all. I’ll go back to the old places, the old ways, the old things and maybe I could even be a witness there. The Christian trying to warm himself by the fires of the enemy will always find misery in the world because, although he may have too much of the world to enjoy the Lord, he also has too much of the Lord to enjoy the world. Feeling estranged from the Lord, yet a stranger to the world, Peter began to swear and curse vehementlyuntil he heard the cock crow. Then he wept bitterly. The Greek phrase, “wept bitterly,” speaks of an emotion stemming from the intestines. In other words, it refers to a deep, gut-wrenching weeping. What caused Peter to weep so bitterly? According to Luke’s Gospel, at the moment Peter said, “Blankety blank, I don’t know the man,” the doors of Caiaphas’ house suddenly swung open and Jesus was led out to the courtyard where He saw Peter sitting by the fire. “And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter,” writes Luke (see Luk_22:61). Jesus looked on Peter and Peter was broken. The look was not one of anger, but of understanding; not one of condemnation but one of sympathy. It was a look that touched Peter’s heart deeply. Jesus knew Peter would go through this, for He had told him only hours earlier, “Simon, Simon, Satan has desired to have you and sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you and when you are converted (not “if you are converted” but “when”), strengthen the brethren” (Luk_22:32). Three days later, when Jesus rose from the dead, the angel in the tomb told Mary Magdalene, “Go tell His disciples and Peter” (Mar_16:7, emphasis mine). In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul tells us that when Jesus rose from the dead, before He appeared to the other disciples, He sought out Peter. In John 21, Jesus ministered to Peter specifically when He gave him the opportunity to say, “I love You, Lord,” three timesjust as Peter had denied Him three times. Maybe you’ve been weeping bitterly today. Maybe you’ve ignored the Word, drifted away, and like Peter, walked into sin. Know this, precious friend: Jesus comes by you at your lowest point, and He looks upon you not in anger but in understanding. “I have prayed for you,” He says, “and when you’re convertedwhen you get through this time of pain and sorrowstrengthen your brethren as I anoint you and continue to use you.” Return to Jesus, and watch what our loving Lord will do with the mess you’ve made. He’ll turn it around for His glory. You watch. You’ll see.