IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Jesus Affirms That He is the Messiah

Date: Mar. 23, 2016

Passage

Matthew 26:57-75  (ESV)

57 Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. 58 And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, 60 but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward 61 and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’” 62 And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” 67 Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?”

69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” 71 And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” 73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” 74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 26:64a

Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

First, Jesus was brought before Caiaphas (57-68). In his trial before Caiaphas, our Lord's dignity was on display. The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were unable to find even one piece of false evidence against Jesus. Two witnesses finally came forward and claimed that Jesus had said that he was able to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days. The high priest stood up and demanded an answer from Jesus, but Jesus remained silent. It was because it was true. Finally Caiaphas demanded point blank for Jesus to tell them under the oath of God whether or not he was the Messiah, the Son of God. This time, Jesus answered them. "From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." They thought Jesus was on trial, but really it was them. They rejected their last opportunity for grace.

Second, Peter disowns Jesus (69-75). Peter denied the Lord three times, just as Jesus had predicted. Jesus knows us! He knows when we will fail and stumble like Peter. Peter remembered the Lord's words and he went outside and wept bitterly. He realized that he could not follow Jesus by his own strength. Such lessons are tough for us to learn, but the Lord will not abandon us in our failures. He restores his followers.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, grant us your mercy and grace.

One Word: Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God

Daily Bread

Jacob and Rebekah Deceive Isaac

Genesis 27:1-29

Key Verse: 27:19

Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me; now sit up and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me.”

Read More

Intro Daily

Today's Question

How is the word to be read and heard in order to become effective for salvation?

See answer and references