Virtue: Faithfulness
Scripture: Matthew 26:17-46
These stories, which are typically associated with Maundy Thursday, demonstrate the faithfulness of Jesus to the purpose of the Father. Jesus came to fulfill the covenants of the Old Testament and inaugurate a New Covenant. This covenant, which is made through His blood, is one of a new kingdom, the Kingdom of God. The path would be difficult and would pass through death, but Jesus remained faithful, saying, “Not my will, but yours be done.”
In the moment of Jesus’ greatest faithfulness, we see the disciples’ points of weakness and faithlessness. Judas, one of the twelve has agreed to betray Jesus for money. Peter will betray Jesus by disowning Him in front of others. All the other disciples will fall away and scatter. Peter, James, and John lacked the ability to support Jesus through prayer at His weakest point, falling asleep instead of staying awake, watching and praying.
No matter what, God is faithful. Our lack and weakness does not result in God being faithless toward us. Our faithlessness does not cause God to abandon us. God is faithful to His purpose: to build His kingdom in this world and to give us salvation, bringing us into His kingdom.
Questions:
1. What are 3 ways God has shown His faithfulness in your life?
2. How can you be better prepared to ‘stay awake’ when moments come where ‘the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak’?
3. What does God’s faithfulness mean to you when you are tempted?
Action:
Remember, a virtue is not something we can just will ourselves into. It is the excellence of God on display in us by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Invite the Holy Spirit to help you through this action, and join with other believers to do this action with:
Either (1) Draw out or (2) Write a letter to God about one of those moments you listed in question 1, when you know that God was faithful to you. Then, sing with one another a worship song about God’s faithfulness. Here are some options:
Great is your Faithfulness
Faithful by Chris Tomlin
Faithful then/Faithful Now
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for your faithfulness to me. Thank you for your forgiveness of my sins. I know how often I fall away, disown, or forget you. I know how faithless I am. You are so gracious to bring me back to you.
Amen
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