Paul Email -8July2013- Matthew 26 (2)

How you doin? Stacey and I have such a vision about the El Dorado. We see it as a place of conferences, retreats, worship, banquets, and a place to learn about God and to be in His Presence. We have both had the same vision and received the call to start this project. Stacey has received a word from God as to how to get, "the keys". I still have not. Please be praying for my understanding of the never ending resources of the Kingdom. We read the 2nd half of Matthew 26 today.

Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.” (Matt. 26:50) After Judas kissed Him in betrayal, He still called him friend. Jesus predicted and knew all that was going to happen.
Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? (Matt. 26:53) What an awesome reminder that Jesus doesn't need us to defend Him.
But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”
      In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled. (Matt 26:54-56) Jesus knew His father's plan for Him. Several times in the New Testament, Jesus says He came to fulfill the Old Covenant or the law. I still can't get over the effect that fear has on them/us. The disciples split and left Jesus on His own. Peter followed at some distance, only to embarrass himself by denying Jesus 3 times.
The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. (Matt. 26:59-60) Jesus' purity is incredible. Even under false accusations, He was spotless.
The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”
“You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. (Matt. 26:63-65) Jesus spoke truth and the Pharisee heard it as blasphemy. They were veiled from the truth. This reminds me of 2 Corinthians 3:14-15, "But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts."

Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”

Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly. (Matt. 26:74-75) I never heard this before today. Peter called down curses on himself. I hear this as an attack on his identity. Peter repented and, "wept bitterly", for being influenced by fear. COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! After Peter was baptized by the Holy Ghost, his shadow healed people. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is hope for me/us after all. I can't not share the rest of 2 Corinthians 3, "But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2 Cor. 3:16-18) I can't read this enough. I feel smitten by Jesus when I read this. COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't let you identity be attacked today. Repent of your mistakes when/if influenced by fear. Turn to Jesus to remove the veil and be free. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love being free. COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!