Matthew 26:30-35 Before the Rooster Crows
Format for Your Devotions
Instructions: Do not read my example devotion until you have completed your own devotional time in the scriptures. Reading my thoughts first may limit your own understanding. Let the Holy Spirit speak to you alone before looking to see what anyone else has to say, whether it is me, a Bible commentary, or a friend. Let God speak to you before you let another person speak to you. I have provided a format, but modify it to fit your needs. For example, I usually combine my application and prayer together talking to God about the application to my own life. You can go through this devotion process mentally, speaking out loud, or in writing as you wish. Don’t worry if you are not following this process exactly. Sometimes, I add extra information and sometimes I emphasize one part more than others. However, you should always think about what you learn about God from this passage.
Step 1: Pray–Ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance first of all and that God may reveal the lessons that He wants you to have that day. Request that God protect you from Satan’s distractions (and the devil will try to distract you whether it is pinching the baby or putting you to sleep). Ask to see God more clearly as you read and think about the passage.
Step 2: Read the passage–Read to get an overview of the information first. Then start looking at specific parts after the first reading. You may read a larger or smaller section than I have here because you do not have to follow my organization at all.
Step 3: Understand the passage–You can summarize, ask and answer your own questions about the passage, visualize the story, analyze the characters, and relate this passage to other scriptures and personal experiences.
Step 4: What does this reveal about God?–What do you learn about the Father, Son, and/or Holy Spirit from this passage?
Step 5: Apply this to your own life.
Step 6: Prayer
My Example Devotion: August 29, 2019 Matthew 26:30-35
Note: In the devotion examples, I leave my questions and thought processes in the text because I am trying to demonstrate that a devotional time is a dialogue with God about what you are reading from His word. As such, any questions or ideas that you have should be explored by talking it out with God. These example devotions are not my attempts to teach you what the meaning of a particular scripture is. They are an attempt to teach you the process of devotions, which is a combination of prayer and Bible study where you explore ideas with God as you read His word.
And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.
(Understanding the Text) I don’t often think of the early Christians singing, but they must have. Here it says they sang a hymn. There were specific psalms that were sung for Passover, so this was probably not a spontaneous outburst of music. However, when Paul and Silas were in jail, they also sang songs. “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them” (Acts 16:25). James advises people to sing praises to God when they are happy. “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise” (James 5:13). The Jews must have sung quite a bit. They have a whole book of over a hundred songs, and there are some songs recorded in the Bible as thanksgiving after a great event. Revelation says that beings in heaven sing. Music is an important part of the worship of God. I wonder what kind of voice Jesus had? I have a terrible voice. I want to sing with a beautiful voice someday in heaven.
(Understanding the Text / Revelation of God) A lot more happened at the supper, but Matthew is focused on the events leading to Jesus’ death, so he skips over the lessons. In other places, his focus is on the lessons, so he minimizes the action, but here it is the opposite. Matthew’s main point here was Jesus’ warning that all of them would be scattered and that Peter would betray Jesus. Matthew points out that all the disciples claimed that they would not betray or desert Jesus. It seems to me that John is the only one who more or less kept his promise. He may have run from the soldiers when Jesus would not let the disciples fight, but he followed along behind Jesus every other step of the way including supporting Jesus’ mother at the crucifixion. Matthew, however, is not interested in reporting those details. Instead, he wants us to know that Jesus knew what would happen before it did and that He tried to prepare the disciples for it. Matthew wants us to understand that Jesus was the Messiah and was not caught off-guard by the events that took place around Him.
(Application / Prayer) A lot of Adventists are sure that they will not fall away during the time of trouble. Others are unsure of their own salvation, so they fear the time of trouble. Most just prefer not to think of it. I fall into the latter category. I can learn a little of how to remain loyal during troubles, both now and at the end, from this passage. The story of the disciples teaches the lesson that if I depend on my own strength, knowledge, and integrity, I will be led to deny my God. My only hope is to humbly follow where God leads now even though I don’t know where He is taking me. I have the promise that God will not allow me to be tempted above what I am able, so I know that if I cling to You, You will not let me fall.