Welcome to our new project, the Daily Bible Devotional. The goal is to help you understand and

apply scripture as you go through a New Testament Bible read five days a week, Monday through

Friday as we move from Matthew straight through to Revelation. In under four minutes each morning, we will recap the chapter,

make some application, present thought questions for the day, and offer a prayer together.

I'm excited about exploring God's word with you, so let's get started. Welcome to our study from

Matthew, chapter 26. As the Jewish leaders plot to kill Jesus, events take

place in Jerusalem between Christ and his followers. A woman anoints his head with oil for burial,

though the apostles do not understand why. Judas responds by heading off to betray Jesus for 30 pieces

of silver.

Jesus then gathers with the 12 at the Passover and institutes his memorial supper.

He points out that he knows the betrayer.

Afterwards, Jesus goes to the garden to spend time in prayer and is then arrested and put before a corrupt Jewish counsel.

At the same time, the chapter tracks Peter's journey and faith crisis from dismissing that he would ever reject Jesus,

to sleeping in the garden while Jesus prayed,

to ultimately denying Jesus openly after his arrest.

Here are some things we can glean from looking at the characters here.

It is valuable to focus on the three main characters.

First, there is Jesus.

He is preparing his disciples for what is coming.

He is leaning upon God in prayer as death approaches.

He is faithful in times of trial.

Jesus is the great example for us all.

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