Daily Devotional For Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Good morning Southside. We are making our way through the wonderful Gospel of Matthew. Today, we come to a dark turn in Matthew. The religious leaders start plotting to kill Jesus. Look at Matthew 26:1-5:

“When Jesus had finished all these words, He said to His disciples, (2) ‘You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man is to be handed over for crucifixion.’ (3) Then the chief priests and the elders of the people were gathered together in the court of the high priest, named Caiaphas; (4) and they plotted together to seize Jesus by stealth and kill Him. (5) But they were saying, ‘Not during the festival, otherwise a riot might occur among the people’” (NASB).

From this point on in Matthew, Matthew records less teaching by Jesus (except by John in his Gospel when Jesus is with His disciples in the Upper Room) and more plotting to kill Jesus. What we see from this point on is amazing:

1. God’s sovereign hand is in control of everything even though it appears the Jewish and Roman leaders are.
2. Jesus was not some unfortunate victim but He went willingly to the cross.
3. We see Jesus’ humility to submit to the cross and His obedience to God the Father, no matter the cost.
4. We will see Jesus go through 6 illegal trials – 3 Jewish and 3 Roman and the only innocent one is Jesus.
5. And lastly, the grave could not hold Him. His Resurrection proved His Deity, His victory and power over death had validated everything He had taught.

After Jesus had finished teaching about the Kingdom of heaven, He moved on to discuss the end of His earthly ministry and His act of sacrifice of going to the cross. This was no surprise to Jesus. He had been telling His disciples all along that He would suffer and die (Matt. 16:21-28; Matt. 17:22-23; and Matt. 20:17-19). That Jesus would die during Passover is no coincidence. It was very significant. Passover was celebrated to remind the Jews how God had freed them from Egypt (Exodus 12). For each Jewish household that marked their doorpost with lamb’s blood, their firstborn was spared from the death angel. 

Every year, Jewish and Hebrew families would celebrate the Passover meal, a feast with the main course being lamb. The sacrifice of a lamb and the spilling of its blood commemorated and reminded them of Israel’s escape from Egypt when the blood of a lamb was painted on their doorposts – which had saved their firstborn sons from death. This event foreshadowed Jesus’ work on the cross. As the spotless sacrificial Lamb of God, His blood would be spilled in order to save His people from the penalty of death brought by sin.

This opposition against Jesus had been building for some time (see John 11:47-53). All the religious leaders needed now was opportunity. So, these religious leaders met in the court of the high priest, Caiaphas. Before Rome, the high priest was for life. After Rome conquered Israel, Rome decided who and for how long one was a high priest. Though Caiaphas was currently the high priest, his father-in-law, Annas, is who the people viewed as the real high priest. We know from history that Caiaphas was part of the Sadducees and he served for 18 years — longer than most high priests. The Sadducees were the wealthy, aristocratic, elite and snobbish Jewish leaders who favored Rome. We know from John’s Gospel that Pilate knew the Jewish leaders were jealous and envious of Jesus’ popularity with the people (Matt. 27:18). Did you notice that Jesus told His disciples in verse 2 that during the Passover He would be handed over to be crucified? This proved He was in charge.

Knowing that Jerusalem swelled with thousands of pilgrims who had come to Jerusalem for Passover, Rome was prepared if a riot started. Then Rome could send in troops and everyone would suffer. Notice the contrast here –Jesus did His whole ministry in public, but His enemies plotted against Him in secret. Public acts of love made Jesus vulnerable; secret acts of treachery fueled the religious leaders. What was true of religious people against Jesus is often true of God’s people against God’s called leaders. The evil one hates anything of God – especially the sacrificial love of Jesus expressed to others without expecting anything in return. When you face evil from others, then live out Romans 12:21.

Reflection Assignment: How often do you pray for your church staff and church leaders? Do you pray for them or at times prey on them? Have you ever been maligned or criticized or put down for serving the Lord? If so, how did you react to it? Did you respond like Jesus? Did you return evil with good?

Scripture To Mediate On: Ephesians 6:12, “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (NLT).

Prayer To Pray: “Dear Lord, there is so much evil in this world. It is so easy to get discouraged and to let evil simply just win. Give me the love to show love when others show hate; to show compassion when others show cruelty; and to show forgiveness when others show fierceness. I love You Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”

I love you Southside! – Pastor Kelly