February 20th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

JESUS WOULD NOT BE DETERRED      

Matthew 26:51-54 “With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and He will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” 

Judas and his cohorts came to arrest Jesus. Jesus knew they were coming. He could have gathered His disciples together and fled. NO! He remained in the garden. When they arrived Jesus permitted Judas to betray Him with his kiss.   

Peter, however, had other ideas. Bold, impulsive Peter drew his sword and declared war on the arresting mob. He flailed out with his sword. It struck pay-dirt cutting off the ear of the High Priest’s servant.   

Jesus immediately intervened, commanding Peter to “put his sword back in place.” He not only stopped Peter, but also restored the severed ear of the servant, healing him completely on the spot.   

Jesus made it plain He did not need a worldly army to defend Him. He had angels on call if He wanted to fight His enemies in a war. No, Jesus had only one concern, “. . . how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” Remember His prayer just before the arrival of His enemies? “Father,” He had prayed, “Thy will be done!” 

Jesus came to take away the sins of the world. The only way for Him to carry out that mission was to permit His capture, trial, and crucifixion. His Father was serious that the “. . .wages of sin is death.” Only Jesus’ death on Calvary’s cross merited full and complete payment for the sins of all of humanity. “With His stripes we are healed!” (Isaiah 53:5) 

Prayer: Thank You Jesus for faithfully going to Calvary’s cross in my behalf and in behalf of all people. Amen. 

Thy works, not mine, O Christ,
Speak gladness to this heart;  
They tell me all its done,
They bid my fear depart.  

Refrain: To whom save Thee,
Who canst alone
For sin atone,
Lord, shall I flee? 

Thy wounds, not mine O Christ,
Can heal my bruised soul;  
Thy stripes, not mine, contain
The balm that makes me whole. Refrain: 

Thy cross, not mine, O Christ,
Has borne the crushing load  
Of sins that none could bear
But the incarnate God. Refrain:  

Thy death, not mine, O Christ,
Has paid the ransom due;  
Ten thousand deaths like mine
Would have been all too few. Refrain: 

Thy righteousness, O Christ,
Alone can cover me;  
No righteousness avails
Save that which is of Thee. Refrain:  

Thy Works, Not Mine, O Christ // LSB 565