Matthew 26:26-35 – Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.

THEME OF THE DAY: HE KNOWS AND STILL LOVES US.  Today’s scripture is a remarkable account of one of the most intimate settings our Lord had with His disciples.  It is sacred, worthy of much meditation, and has lessons abounding for us in our walks with Him.  As we enter the scene, we see a foretaste of heaven.  Jesus even says, “I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”  That statement alone is good instruction for us as we observe communion in our churches.  Do we seek to realize this level of intimacy with the Lord and His people when we partake of the elements?  Be very careful not to take communion for granted.  It is a memorial given to Christ’s church for two purposes; to look back at what Jesus did for us and to look ahead at what lies ahead for us.

There is another powerful lesson for us.  Be aware of “mountain top spiritual experiences” that lead to making irrational, impulsive, and emotionally-driven, not Spirit-driven, commitments to the Lord.  Take time and read about commitments to the Lord in  Ecclesiastes 5:1-7. God takes our commitments very seriously and we must keep them, even when we don’t “feel led” anymore. His providence in orchestrating circumstances is His primary means of guidance, not our feelings.  Too many Christians want to serve the Lord, make commitments without weighing the cost, then back out.  This discourages co-workers, leaders, and if the pattern continues, will give us a reputation of inconsistency and hurt other believers.  This happened to the disciples.  They just enjoyed a very big mountain top experience with the Lord, even a glorious time of worship – they sung a hymn – then they made an impulsive commitment to the Lord and failed miserably to the hurt of themselves and others.

Still yet another lesson unfolds for us and this one is theological.  It reveals the omniscience of God; His ability to know all things at all times.  The disciples just made their ill-fated commitment, led by Peter, and Jesus said, “No, you are going to fail me.  You are not going to keep your commitment.”  See the power of sin?  Peter is telling the all-knowing Creator, “You are wrong, Lord. I am Your man.”  And here is the encouraging lesson.  Jesus knows we are going to fail Him and He loves us still.   This theological truth of God, His omniscience, will be one of two things for His children.

First, this attribute may be of great comfort. If we are striving to love Him with all our hearts, minds, souls, and strength, but fall into unintentional sin, we may rest in confidence before Him. He sees our sincerity knowing we are real. Even in our failings, we may say with Peter, ‘Lord, You know all things. You know I love You.’  However, if we are tolerating sin, lazy in our obeying the Lord, and allowing worldliness to grip us, His omniscience cannot be a comfort.  It is a trait of exposure before the God who knows our hearts and observes our lives. Should we allow unchecked sin and spiritual indifference to exist in our lives, even though we ‘go through the motions’ of outward Christian activity, the all-knowing God will come not with comfort but conviction and chastisement for such allowed hypocrisy” (John 21:15-19). Yes, He loves us indeed; even in our failings that He knows already. Let’s be sincere and make this trait of God a comfort, not a chastisement.

PRAYER: “Father, I praise You for not only Your great love but Your unchanging love.”

QUOTE: “God’s all-knowing trait is a comfort for His children as they strive but fail to live obedient lives”