40 Days of Easter 2011 Devotional April 8

40 Days of Easter - April 8, 2011

Written by: Melody Tackett

LEAD TO TRIAL WITH PEACE
Matthew 26:57-68

Key Verses: And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas.  But Jesus held his peace. Matthew 26:57a and 26:63a

There were two main trials for Jesus, a religious trial before the Jewish leaders and a civil trial before the Roman authorities. Matthew's account is of the second stage of the Jewish trial before Caiaphas, the high priest. His accusers brought Jesus at night with no regard to the rules under which the court operated in hopes of finding someone to give a false testimony against Jesus.


In verse 60, the Bible tells us "though many came, yet none were found. At the last came two false witnesses."  Caiaphas gave in and accepted the final two witnesses who misquoted and misapplied a statement Jesus had said some three years prior. (John 2:19-21) Even through all of this, Jesus held His peace. (v 63)

What a great God we serve! Recently I was reminded of how Jesus remained so calm while He was led away, not given a fair trial, falsely accused and then taunted. Jesus was totally committed to the will of His Father. He was at peace after His praying and agonizing in the Garden of Gethsemane. Because of this peace, He was able to endure this terrible event that led to the cross, the cross that was necessary to cover my sins.

Questions to consider:
How is your relationship with God? Could you be calm and respond the way God would want you to if you were falsely accused for the good of the Lord? What is your limit to being obedient? Do you have the peace that God promises?

Prayer for today:
Jesus I want to follow Your will for my life. I understand that by the world's ideas and views it will not make sense. Help me to not to respond fleshly but in all things to stay obedient to You. Thank You for the peace You give me.