Fifth Sunday in Lent

Be Still:  Dear Father, how much it must have grieved You to have Your priests conspiring against Your Son.  Thank you for being grieved for our sakes.  In Jesus’ name, through the power of the Holy Spirit, Amen

Be Strengthened:  Matthew 26:57-62

⁵⁷Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. ⁵⁸But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.

⁵⁹The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. ⁶⁰But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.  Finally two came forward ⁶¹and declared, "This fellow said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.' "

⁶²Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?"

Be Stretched:  Caiaphas and the chief priests were so eager to get rid of Jesus that they used false witnesses.  These were the religious leaders of the time.  Did it not occur to them that they were breaking God’s commandments?  Have you ever been in a situation when you compromised your values?  It’s not too late to confess and ask God’s forgiveness.  Remember that even leaders can be tempted to sin.  Pray today for the pastors and elders of your church, as well as shepherds throughout the world.