Making Jesus our 1st priority

A reflective devotional on Matthew 26:55–56 (KJV) that calls believers to examine their priorities, remain faithful to Christ, and trust God’s purpose even in moments of sacrifice, abandonment, and fulfillment of His divine plan.

C. Atkinson

7/31/20233 min read

a wooden block that says faith next to blue flowers

Scripture: Matthew 26:55-56 | https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.26.55-56

55 In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.
56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

Praise the Lord!

The life and ministry of Jesus Christ are revealed to us through the four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. In these books, we see not only what Jesus said and did, but who He is. As He walked closely with His disciples, He taught them, loved them, and prepared them for the fulfillment of God’s divine plan.

A vital part of Jesus’ mission was His willing sacrifice on the cross for the sins of humanity. Through repentance and faith in Him, the way to eternal life was made available. The Apostle Peter later declared this plan of salvation in Acts 2:38, and on that day, about three thousand souls received the gift of salvation.

In Matthew 26, we are given a sobering account of Jesus’ betrayal and arrest—events He foretold so that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. In His darkest hour, the disciples whom He loved and invested in forsook Him and fled. From a human perspective, we can scarcely imagine the pain of such abandonment—the weight of betrayal, rejection, and loneliness. Yet even this was not outside of God’s purpose. It happened so that Scripture would be fulfilled.

This passage invites us to reflect on our own lives. What may God be allowing or using in your life so that His purposes can be fulfilled? What sacrifice is He asking of you today?

We were all created in His image and placed on this earth with intention. Our lives are not accidents. Scripture reminds us in 1 Peter 2:9, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” We have been called to be a light for Jesus in a world that desperately needs Him.

Yet many times, the cares and distractions of this world pull us away from making Christ our first priority. We plan for work, school, events, and daily responsibilities, but too often we neglect the most important relationship of all. Just as the disciples forsook Jesus and fled, we may also forsake Him—not by running away physically, but by placing other things before Him.

The Lord declared to Jeremiah, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5). God has purpose for each of us, and that purpose is fulfilled when we seek Him first.

This week, let us take time to meditate on the Word of God and examine our priorities. Let us recommit our lives to placing Jesus first in all things, refusing to forsake the only true and living God who gave His life for you and for me.

Prayer

Dear Jesus,

We surrender our lives to You and ask that You forgive us of our sins. We worship You alone and give You all the glory, for You are our reason for living. Thank You for making the perfect sacrifice so that all humanity may have everlasting life through You.

We pray that in everything we do—from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same—we will make You our first priority. Change our perspective and set our minds on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2). Transform us by Your Word. Be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. Keep us in Your perfect peace and direct our steps always.

We ask these things in Jesus’ name.
Amen.