- And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Matthew 26:30 – Often something we may not think about is Jesus singing, but clearly this was something He did. What song did He and His disciples sing after their Passover meal? We do not know for certain, but many believe they would have sung the “Hallel” which is portions from Psalms 113-118 for this was the normal hymn sung at the end of the Passover meal for the Jewish people. If this were the case, notice some of the verses that Jesus would have sang before all the events of that night took place and was crucified that next morning. Psalm 118:17-18 – I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord. The Lord has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death. Psalm 116:13-14 – I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord, I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people. These are just a couple selections from these Psalms, and while again we don’t know what Jesus sang, whatever He sang we know it would have been filled with deep emotion knowing what was ahead for Him. Yet, knowing what was ahead, Jesus still sung. Jesus still chose to lift up His voice in praise of the Father despite knowing what the Father’s will was for Him that day. Can we too say that we will sing praises to the Lord always, even when it’s clear the Lord is calling us to the hardest season of our life? Jesus was hours away from all the events of the crucifixion and knowing this He still gave praise to the Lord. You too may be in the most difficult season of your life, but praise can still be found on your lips for God is still found to be worthy of your praise. Praise Him in the good and the hard for He is with you in both. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3348
- Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. Matthew 26:50 – Knowing full well what Judas was doing Jesus still showed love to him. That’s not an easy task to follow the lead of Jesus on. When we know someone’s heart isn’t in the right place and they clearly aren’t caring about us to still show love and grace to them is hard. Yet it’s a part of the example Jesus left us to follow. Loving people includes those who don’t love you back. This weekend dwell on how you can begin loving more deeply the people that haven’t even expressed a shallow amount of love towards you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 880
- And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39 – And going a little farther… Jesus, in order to really have the space and time needed for this sort of connection with His Father He knew He needed to go a little farther into the garden. Yesterday at our church leadership conference a speaker shared how deeply important it is for us to spend time gazing at Jesus and not just live off of quick glances at Him. Sometimes a gaze is going to take you going a little farther than you normally would or what people normally do for time with God. Yup, a little farther may mean getting up before everyone else so your time with Him is uninterrupted. A little farther may mean reading scripture in spaces no one else is or praying when no one else is. Going a little farther may mean when every gets up at church you keep sitting to spend more time with your Father because you know you aren’t limited to a 30 minute talk from some pastor to dictate the intimacy of your walk with Jesus. Today, go a little farther with Jesus. We see in our passage He’s not afraid of going deeper. In order for you to have a real gaze at Jesus today, what may have to change about your routine? However deep you want to go in your walk with Jesus know He’s ready to go even deeper. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1976
Daily DEVO 