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I Will Never
/in Pastors BlogI Will Never
33 Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.”
Matthew 26:33
Peter had a bad habit of speaking first, thinking second. He was one of the most passionate of disciples, one of the most fervent and he truly believed what he said but rarely could actually commit to his words.
In this verse Peter makes two big mistakes. The first is comparing himself to others. He somehow thought he was more than the rest. He thought he could do what none of the others could. We should never define our faith in God by how it compares with others. Our relationship and faith with God is unique. It doesn’t matter how others are. It doesn’t matter whether we are more of less than them, salvation is individual with God.
The second mistake is in using the word ‘never’. Humans should never try and live in the absolutes. We must always remember that we were born into sin and no matter how much we may want or desire something, we cannot in ourselves guarantee anything. That is why Jesus says not to make promises but to simply say yes or no. Absolutes are for God. His promises are sure and trustworthy, ours if when done with a pure heart can never be guaranteed. That is also why Jesus says just a little down the text:
41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Matthew 26:41
In the end, Peter denies Christ more than any other disciple. Although he tried his best, following along from a distance and wanting to know what is going to happen to Christ, he ultimately fails in living up to his words. This is course happens because he has still not received the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. When Pentecost did come, we begin to see a new Peter.
We begin to see a man who he thinks more, analyses the situation and his words to give a good and true report to whomever might be around him. We also see a man whos flesh better matches his spirit. This is something we all can experience. The Holy Spirit is waiting to create a better you if you are willing.
God bless,
Pr. Steven Couto
Scattered
/in Pastors BlogScattered
31 Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
Matthew 26:30
There are times when it seems like nothing is going right. There are times when we feel like we’ve slipped off the path and are struggling in the weeds. It is easy to think during these times that God isn’t near or that he’s lost us but God is more than we realize. His eye can see into the darkest corner of the world and into the deepest point. Just as Jonah learned in the belly of the fish, you simply can’t run away from God.
Jesus, as he looked forward at his sacrifice took a moment to see the future of his disciples as well. He painfully saw them scatter. He saw the fear that would grip them and how easily they would abandon him. They would scatter like sheep seeing a wolf attacking. He saw that there was nothing he could do except watch them go. It must has been hard to see that but he also never lost hope because he knew that wasn’t their end.
32 But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.”
Matthew 26:32
Just like the disciples, there are times that we too will scatter from Jesus’ presence. At some point it is almost guaranteed to happen because of our sinful natures. When you read through the Bible, even the greatest heroes had their falls. But like the disciples, Jesus also sees beyond that point. He sees how we can come back to him and regain our faith and closeness. We must also see this. We must not get lost and trapped in the dark times. God will always put a door of escape when we need it.
13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
1 Corinthians 10:13
Even when we do scatter, let us be ready to be found by our shepherd again.
God bless,
Pr. Steven Couto
All Alone
/in Pastors BlogAll Alone
31 Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
Matthew 26:30
This is an important verse to truly understand all the people involved during this time in Jesus’ life. The traditional story makes Judas to be the big bad guy. He is the betrayer. He is the one who left Christ for his own gain. This verse however makes it very clear that all the disciples leave Jesus. All became afraid and run when they feel their life is in danger.
The best of the bunch is Peter, and we believe John, who stayed at a distance from Jesus. These two are like those who are split and don’t know which side of the fence to take. But let’s also remember that it is Peter who then betrays Jesus from a distance three times.
The truth is that Jesus really has no one. At the most crucial and painful point in his life, Jesus was forced to walk alone. His disciples left, those whom he healed were nowhere to be seen and even God himself had taken a step back into the darkness of the night.
When we read that Jesus suffered just as we do, it is not lying. Just as we have moments in our lives when we feel alone and abandoned by all, so did Jesus.
14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:14-15
Jesus understand the pain of feeling alone and abandoned. Don’t forget how he cried out to God himself in that dark moment.
But he continued on in faith. That is the power and glory and love of Christ. Even in the darkest, most painful moment, Jesus fulfilled his mission even though he saw no help around him. Let us, like him, have that faith.
16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16
God bless,
Pr. Steven Couto
Sing a Song
/in Pastors BlogSing a Song
30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Matthew 26:30
This is the only verse in the Bible that speaks of Jesus singing. One might wonder what kind of a song he chose considering the event. He had just seen Judas leave to betray him, had his last meal with his friends, knew that his death was here and that he would experience the consequences of a world of sin. On the other hand, he also knew that he was at the very moment of saving his beloved humans, he knew that his hard time on earth was about to end and knew that sin would be defeated once and for all.
Did he sing a happy song of salvation or a sad song of suffering? We will only know that in heaven when we can ask him in person.
But how important would this hymn have been for Jesus. He knew that he needed help in this last chapter of his human life. In a few hours he would be asking his disciples to pray with him.
Singing hymns is a great way to fill your soul. It is a great way to connect with God and be filled with whatever you may need in that moment. If you’re sad, a hymn can cheer you up. If you’re stressed, a hymn can give you peace. If you’re in pain, a hymn can even sooth that as well.
1 Praise the Lord!
Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty firmament!
2 Praise Him for His mighty acts;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!
3 Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet;
Praise Him with the lute and harp!
Psalm 150:1-3
Whatever you might be going through today, sing a song for God and he will take care of you. If Jesus found the need to do it, how much more do we.
God bless,
Pr. Steven Couto
Wine and Blood?
/in Pastors BlogWine and Blood?
27 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29 But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”
Matthew 26:27-29
The early Christians were persecuted and called a cult because it was believed that they drank human blood. Of course this was just a rumor spread by those wanting to erase Christianity from the area.
The Bible makes it very clear that the juice was just to be a symbol for the blood of Christ. It was something to be done as a remembrance.
Jesus called this part of a new covenant that he was making with the world. No longer was the truth and by extension salvation to be held by just a few. The chosen people, the Jews, had broken the old covenant, distorting its truth and ignoring the evangelistic outreach that was supposed to be attached to it.
Instead now, the new covenant was to be for everyone and anyone who was willing to accept it. Your blood line, birth or heritage meant nothing now. As all who accepted received the spiritual blood of Jesus, everyone was deemed worthy.
By accepting the blood, the person also accepted the sacrifice that caused the blood to be shed. By accepting the sacrifice, the person’s sins were forgiven and a new life was created. This new life would be filled with the Holy Spirit and would build up a character like Jesus himself. That is the plan and covenant that Jesus is talking about here.
Then Jesus said that he’d never drink grape juice again until all were saved and living in heaven. That day is the great feast that is mentioned in the Bible for all the saved in heaven. What’s interesting is that Jesus’ first miracle is found in a wedding feast and it will all conclude in a heavenly wedding feast. Jesus loves symmetry.
Today you have the choice to be part of that new covenant. If you think you’re not worthy, just remember that all the apostles there with Jesus, who drank that juice, would be fast asleep while Jesus needed their prayers in Gethsemane. It is the same apostles who would betray him and run away in just a few hours after this meal.
They were found worthy and so are you.
God bless,
Pr. Steven Couto
Did Judas Eat?
/in Pastors BlogDid Judas Eat?
25 Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, “Rabbi, is it I?” He said to him, “You have said it.” 26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”
Matthew 26:25-26
There is much debate among scholars as to the question of whether Judas partook of the Lord’s Supper by eating the bread and wine. John is the only gospel that actually says when Judas left, which took place at the end of supper and after the foot washing. Here in Matthew, Jesus proclaims Judas as the betrayer before starting the ceremony of the Lord’s Supper. Some say that it’s in between verses 25 and 26 that Judas would have left and therefore didn’t partake. Others argue the idea that if Jesus washed his feet, he would have also performed the rest of the ceremony with Judas as well.
Although it’s nice to know the facts, I think arguing over this is missing the mark for two reasons. If this was something really vital for us as Christians to know, it would have been much more clear in the text as the writers and Holy Spirit would make sure there was no doubt. Although some things can be hard to understand in the Bible, it also always explains itself for those things which God knows we need to know.
Secondly, and more importantly in my mind, it makes very little difference if Judas partook of the bread and wine or not. The fact is his heart and mind were already set on their path. Jesus himself says in John 13:27 27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”
What this teaches us is that ceremonies, like the Lord’s Supper, while important to our spiritual lives and growth, are of little use if our hearts and minds are not in the right place. Regardless of the bread and wine, we know for certain that Judas partook of the foot washing. The washing did nothing to change his mind, however, and neither would the Lord’s Supper.
Do not allow ceremonies or traditions to take the place of your responsibility of character and choice. Just because you go through all the motions at church means nothing if your character is not focused on God. These ceremonies and traditions are not magical incantations or spells that automatically or magically change our state of mind or character. Our mind and character is only changed through our relationship with God, our giving of ourselves to him, and in the deliberate choices we make within our lives. There is no magic red pill that will change your life outside of your choice and relationship with God.
God bless,
Pr. Steven Couto
Not Been Born
/in Pastors BlogNot Been Born
23 He answered and said, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me. 24 The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.”
Matthew 26:23-24
There are few verses more scathing than Jesus own words found here in verse 24. Jesus was obviously feeling the weight and pain of the next few hours of his life. Not only would he be condemned to die and do so in an excruciating way, but it would all happen at the hands, or kiss, of one of his closest friends and followers. Make no mistake, Jesus loved Judas, just as God loves all men, but he would not deny Judas his choice and consequence.
Last week we saw how all the disciples thought that they could be the betrayer, but here Jesus points the finger in the gentlest of ways- without ever actually saying his name.
The strong words used in verse 24 start with prophetic words of his death but quickly add a ‘but’ to change the direction to the betrayer. Think about what Jesus, the creator and savior of the world, says about Judas here. It would have been better for Judas to have never been born than to be the person that makes the choice he does.
I once spoke with a man who was convinced that Judas would be in heaven. He claimed that Judas simply did what Jesus needed him to do. He followed God’s plan in his life. Verse 24 really puts that whole idea into serious doubt. Judas had all the advantages and chances that the other eleven had. He saw the same miracles and heard the same sermons. He saw the goodness and holiness of Jesus, yet for 30 silver coins was willing to betray that perfect man. Everything that was done and all the consequences that Judas suffered and will suffer one day suffer are all on his own personal choice.
Judas never knew that this was to be his role. Judas never saw himself as the bad guy or betrayer but his series of choices and thoughts brought him there.
We too, each day, face a series of decisions. Every day we shape our future. How important it is to use Judas life as a lesson and warning. None of us live our lives to be the bad guys or betrayers but is it possible that one day we will be?
How important is it to see our actions and choices today before it’s too late. Let us make good choices and follow God’s good path for our lives.
God bless,
Pr. Steven Couto