Starting Fresh

Sometimes, we live so fast or don’t reflect honestly or deeply to see our need to repent. Below are reasons, based on the passion of Christ, that we might relate to and need to repent.

Considering the passion of Christ, repent for ...

• vs. 3-5: plotting and planning evil and harm, not caring about the innocence of the victim nor their family/friend circles but caring more about traditions than truth

• vs. 8-10: caring more about money than the message in a divine moment; maliciously and wrongly judging others’ gifts and their use to the Lord

• vs. 14-16: looking for opportunities to betray the Lord—being disloyal and devilish; looking for how to profit from the Lord

• vs. 19: NOT doing as the Lord directs

• vs. 23,25: pretending to be a friend (being around the Lord in church programs and Christian people), but actually being a foe and fake, putting on a show.

• vs. 31: falling away from the Lord through doubt, dissolution and denial

• vs. 33-35: pridefully, even if with good intentions, disagreeing with the Lord, thinking we’ll never have moments of disagreement or even public denial—no matter how large or small

• John 13:8 ... arrogantly refusing to be served and cleaned by the Lord

• John 13:14-15 ... refusing to humbly serve others—even to the level of washing feet

• vs. 40-41: sleeping and dozing instead of watching (be alert & actively looking) and praying (staying connecting to the wisdom of God, sight of God and power of God) to avoid temptation

• vs. 48-49: betraying the Lord or giving up on Him and helping others against Him

• vs. 51-52: harming others, when trying to protect/defend the Lord and self (we must still be loving)

• vs. 58-59: following the Lord from a distance—secretly, privately not publicly, personally not corporately, fearfully not faithfully—not wanting to be discovered

• vs. 66-68: forming and conveying wrong thoughts about the Lord; mocking and abusing the Lord (even His Church since they are His body)

• vs. 70-75: denying connection and friendship with the Lord instead or representing the Lord and being associated with the Lord

We can say like Peter, "Lord I repent"!

"Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the courtyard of the [elegant home of the Jewish] high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and plotted together to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill Him. But they said, “It must not be during the festival (Passover), otherwise there might be a riot among the people.”"
- MATTHEW 26:3-5

"But when the disciples saw it they were indignant and angry, saying, “Why all this waste [of money]? For this perfume might have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” But Jesus, aware [of the malice] of this [remark], said to them, “Why are you bothering the woman? She has done a good thing to Me."
- MATTHEW 26:8-10

"Then one of the twelve [disciples], who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand Jesus over to you?” And they weighed out thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment Judas began looking for an opportune time to betray Jesus."
- MATTHEW 26:14-16

"[Accordingly] the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover."
- MATTHEW 26:19

"Jesus answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the bowl with Me [as a pretense of friendship] will betray Me."
- MATTHEW 26:23

"And Judas, the betrayer, said, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” Jesus said to him, “ You have said it yourself.”"
- MATTHEW 26:25

"Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of Me this night [disillusioned about Me, confused, and some even ashamed of Me], for it is written [in the Scriptures], ‘I WILL STRIKE THE S HEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK WILL BE SCATTERED.’"
- MATTHEW 26:31

"Peter replied to Him, “Though they all fall away because of You [and doubt and disown You], I will never fall away!” Jesus said to him, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this night, before a rooster crows, you will [completely] deny Me three times.” Peter said to Jesus, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And all the disciples said the same thing."
- MATTHEW 26:33-35

"And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “So, you men could not stay awake and keep watch with Me for one hour? Keep actively watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”"
- MATTHEW 26:40-41

"Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him.” Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, “Greetings (rejoice), Rabbi!” And he kissed Him [in a deliberate act of betrayal]."
- MATTHEW 26:48-49

"And one of those who were with Jesus reached out and drew his sword, and struck [Malchus] the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back in its place; for all those who habitually draw the sword will die by the sword."
- MATTHEW 26:51-52

"But Peter followed Him at a distance as far as the courtyard of the [elegant home of the Jewish] high priest, and went inside, and sat with the guards to see the outcome. Now the chief priests and the whole Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) tried to get false witnesses to testify against Jesus, so that they might [have a reason to] put Him to death."
- MATTHEW 26:58-59

"What do you think?” They answered, “ He deserves to be put to death.” Then they spat in His face and struck Him with their fists; and some slapped Him, saying, “ Prophesy to us, You Christ (Messiah, Anointed); who was it that struck You?”"
- MATTHEW 26:66-68

"But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.”"
- MATTHEW 26:70

"And again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.”"
- MATTHEW 26:72

"Then he began to curse [that is, to invoke God’s judgment on himself] and swear [an oath], “I do not know the man!” And at that moment a rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the [prophetic] words of Jesus, when He had said, “Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly [in repentance]."
- MATTHEW 26:74-75