Read A Chapter A Day (RACAD) Mathew 26

Psalm 12&14

Table of Contents

 Read A Chapter A Day (RACAD) Mathew 26

“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak”

As I ponder the verses above amidst many insightful narratives in this chapter, the disaster of being carnal comes to mind. The disciples had up to this point been faithful followers of Jesus.

Leaving all behind,they had gone with him from coast to coast with the gospel of the kingdom.

At some point, he gave them power and sent them out to preach and they came back testifying that even the demons were subject to them in his name.

One would have thought the depth of these encounters and the closeness with Jesus would have purged the disciples from being carnal minded.

Alas, even the invitation to Gethsemane to watch and pray with Jesus though not ignored, also did not stop the flesh from rearing its head- they all fell asleep!

Earlier on in this chapter at the house of Simon the Leper, glimpses of this also showed up when a woman poured an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume on the master’s head.

The disciples couldn’t hide their indignation that something so precious could be wasted like that, even saying this to the hearing of their master

In their consideration, selling the perfume and giving the money to the poor was better and more gratifying.

Sadly, some folks in church today still rationalise things like the disciples did.
Once there is an announcement to donate towards a project, the questions begin- Why this project, why that project, why waste such huge amounts on such mundane things, wouldn’t it be more beneficial to spend such money on something else, what about the needy, couldn’t that solve someone’s problems,etc

Now back to this flesh matter. Peter’s example shows us the futility of putting one’s confidence in the flesh.

He boldly declared his readiness to die with Jesus in vs 35 on hearing Jesus telling them they will all fall away on his account.

Such was his level of confidence. Perhaps if he had taken the invitation from Jesus to watch and pray with him at the garden of Gethsemane, his manner of a 3- time denial would have been averted(at least there was no previous prophecy that a man called Peter will deny the Messiah

Many of us in church are like Peter. We are so super human, so confident in our abilities to say no to temptation and trusting that our closeness to the men of God is a formidable shield from any bombardments from our adversary.

We readily give excuses to pass on the antidote to the weakness of the flesh when we fail to take advantage of opportunities provided by the church to watch and pray.

We pass on the monthly 3 days chain fasting, we pass on weekly Bible study, we pass on green pastures on Sundays by coming late, etc. If we faint in the day of adversity, then our strength is small (Prov 24:10).

But thanks be to God who delivers us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Brethren, now and again we suffer the pains of the troubles our flesh bring upon us, shouldn’t we then rise from our sleepiness and walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit remembering the words of Paul in Eph 5:14-18
Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit”

Recommended Reads::
Departments
Groups
Upcoming Events
Who We are

“A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.” (Proverbs 18:16)


Please, contact the church administrator at Sanctuaryofgrace1@gmail.com for details on how to make Tithe & Offering Online.