Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus found His disciples, Peter, James and John” asleep while He prayed in the garden of Gethsemane, and after allowing them to continue sleeping for a while said, “Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that does betray me. And while he yet spoke, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, why are you come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again your sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Do you think that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are you come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and you laid no hold on me”, and in chapter twenty-six and verse fifty-six of his book, Matthew writes how, “all the disciples forsook him, and fled” where we read:
But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.
Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
The verse reads, “But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Matthew began word, “but” which means “nevertheless, moreover and” “all this was done” or “each, every, the whole and everyone of these things were completed and finished”, “that the scriptures” which means “so the holy and sacred writ” “of the prophets” or “belonging to the ones who were moved by the Spirit of God and therefore his organ or spokesman who solemnly declared to men what they have received by inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation” “might be fulfilled” which means “could be completed, furnished, supplied and rendered full”. Matthew shared how every action from the prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane to Jesus' capture were to “fulfill” “prophetic scriptures” concerning Him.
The verse continues, “Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.” Matthew added, “then all the disciples” or “at that time and moment each, every, the whole and everyone of Jesus' disciples” “forsook him” which means “ departed from, left and deserted Jesus”, “and fled” or “and sought safety by flight”. Matthew shared how every one of Jesus' “disciples” ran away and abandoned Him.
When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Matthew continued to prove to his Jewish audience that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God. Jesus “fulfilled” every prophesy concerning His capture and abuse as well as being “abandoned” by His disciples. All these things were part of God's plan for the “salvation” of mankind, and Jesus was to “complete” each of them. God loves people, and His desire is for them not only to realize His Son Jesus is the Messiah, but also to submit their lives to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”.
Next time Matthew shares how those who captured Jesus, “led him away to Caiaphas the high priest”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
No comments:
Post a Comment