Today’s devotion is Matthew 26:57-68 which contains the account of Jesus being questioned and accused and abused by the chief priest Caiaphas. “Then they spat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him,” Matthew 26:67. The verse upon which we will focus is verse 64.
“Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN.” Matthew 26:64.
We should follow the example of Jesus who in the midst of His sorrows and persecution did not despair but rather focused on His future triumph. Likewise, Hebrews 12:1-2 encourages us and exhorts us: “… let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
In explaining the following judgment phrase of The Apostles’ Creed, The Heidelberg Catechism likewise tells us to have an uplifted head and to look to Christ focusing on His future triumph:
“Question 52. What comfort is it to thee that “Christ shall come again to judge the quick and the dead”?
Answer. That in all my sorrows and persecutions, with uplifted head I look for the very same person, who before offered himself for my sake, to the tribunal of God, and has removed all curse from me, to come as judge from heaven: who shall cast all his and my enemies into everlasting condemnation, but shall translate me with all his chosen ones to himself, into heavenly joys and glory.”
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 