Tues.’s Devo - Jesus’ Arrest

Read: Exodus 30:11-31:18; Matthew 26:47-68; Psalms 32:1-11; Proverbs 8:27-32 Moses was told that if he ever counted the people, he was first to have them bring a half shekel to pay the atonement for their lives. To count the people was the same as bringing their live to account before the Lord at the end of time. They had to pay for their sins first or they would be judged. If they didn’t do this, a plague would come. This is exactly what happened when David counted the people and didn’t require the payment. A plague broke out that killed many of his people. *** The Lord instructed Moses to make a bronze basin for the priest to wash their feet and hands before they ministered. We should always have clean hands and feet before we minister, which means that our sins should be confessed and forgiven first; our hearts should be clean. *** Moses was given the formula for the spices that were to be mixed with the oil to make anointing oil. With it Moses was to anoint the tent of meeting, the furniture and all the instruments used. It was to be burnt on the incense table as a sweet aroma to the Lord. In Revelation 8:3,4 it says that this incense was mixed with the prayers of the saints. This perfume was to be beaten and was not to be copied or used for any other purpose. It was holy to the Lord. *** The Lord called two men to craft the furniture, utensils, garments and the oil and incense in the tabernacle. God filled them with his Spirit and showed them how to do everything as he wanted it and gave them the ability to carry it out. If you look up all the names associated with Bezalel you will get this picture: Under the shadow of the Lord, light shines through praise. If you look up all the names and their meanings of the second artist, Aholiah you will get this: God’s judgement supports his tabernacle. God’s judgements and praise go together. *** Above all the commandments, they were to keep the Sabbaths because they are holy and if they didn’t keep them they would be killed and their soul cut off from their people. The Sabbath was a sign that God rested after making the heaven and the earth for six days. On the seventh day he rested and was refreshed. On our seventh day we will do the same. *** When God had finished talking to Moses he gave him the two tablets where the finger of God had written the laws. *** In Matthew, Jesus had just woken up Peter, James and John for the third time and announced that they were there to take him. Sure enough, Judas arrived with a great crowd of agitator with swords and clubs. Judas had told the priests that it would be the one he kissed. Judas greeted Jesus as his Rabbi then kissed him. Jesus called Judas his friend and asked him what he had come to do. Jesus knew. They grabbed Jesus and Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of the servant’s high priest. Jesus told him to put his sword away and explained that he could defend him self if he wanted to. Jesus made a point that they could have taken him in the day, but they chose to do it at night because that is when sin does its work. *** Jesus was taken to the home of the high priest, Caiaphas. Peter followed and sat in the courtyard listening. Witnesses falsely accused Jesus, but none of them said anything that would stick until the man said that Jesus had said he was able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days. That was not what Jesus had said, but they liked it and asked Jesus to respond. When Jesus refused to answer, they asked him if he was the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus told him that they said it and from then on they would see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven. This was what they were waiting for. The high priest tore his robes claiming, “Blasphemy.” He sentenced him to death. Jesus was spit on, slapped and mocked. *** Lord, forgive us for rejecting you. Thank you that your blood has made us new creatures in You and we no longer reject you but we invite you into our lives. Thank you that you invite us into your kingdom to be your children that you delight in.