Matthew 26
Jesus again tells the disciples of His impending death 1-2. The
religious leaders plot to have Jesus killed 3-5. Note: They are so
spiritual blind that they do not 'see' the wickedness of their
deeds. Jesus is anointed by a women with a costly jar and perfume.
The disciples were indignant but Jesus was pleased. This was an act
of sacrifice and faith as she did it to prepare His body for burial
12. Note: The women would not be able to do this ritual because
Jesus would have already risen from the dead (Mark 16:1-8). Could
this woman have had such insight by faith in what Christ had been
teaching up to this point ? In fulfillment of Jesus words, I hail
this woman as a testimony of faith in Christ and the Word of God !
The Passover is celebrated by Jesus and His disciples 17-30. He
predicts His betrayal and reveals that it is Judas 21-25. Jesus
assigns a new meaning to a part of the passover meal. The bread is
His body and the cup is His shed blood for the forgiveness of sins
26-29. Note: Sins are forgiven and atoned for by the broken body of
Jesus and His shed blood. The entire OT was a foreshadowing of His
once for all perfect sacrifice (see: Hebrews 10:1-10). Jesus looked
forward to having 'communion' with His disciples (all of us) one
day in the Father's kingdom, which would indicate that He is not
talking about the establishment of the church, for there is no
record of Jesus having fulfilled this vow that He made here 29.
Jesus also warns them of their failure and Peter's denial31-35.
This was in keeping with the Scriptures (31) yet come to pass by
the free choices which they themselves made 56b, 69-75. Jesus prays
three times in Gethsemane to have 'this cup pass' (a reference to
His passion and death in which He would taste death and the
fullness of God wrath for us all - Hebrews 2:9) 36-44. Each time
the (three) disciples were sleepy and not alert to pray. Even after
rebuke they were still over come by their flesh (body) 41.
When His hour was near, so was His betrayer 45-46. What must they
have thought that Judas was among those who arrested Jesus and was
part of their actions 47-50. One of them (Peter) tries to defend
Jesus and is rebuked. This must happen in order to fulfill the will
and word of God 52-54. All of their actions were fulling the plans
and purposes of God, yet they were responsible for their actions
(see: Acts 2:22-24; 3:17-18; 4:28). Jesus could have put a stop to
all this with 12 legions of angels coming to His rescue, but hen
how would the word of God be fulfilled All that occurred was
foretold 55-56. Caiaphas, the High priest tries Jesus with Peter
following 57-58. They were looking for 'false evidence' to get to
the verdict they wanted 58. Note: Are not judges to seek out the
truth in matters of the court ? It is 'funny' they could not find
anything against Him. Surely there must be something ? (so they
thought) 60. Note: They could not even come up with a good lie !
59-60. So two 'misrepresent Jesus words regarding the temple 61-63.
Caiaphas finally asks Jesus plainly if He is the Son of God 63.
Under oath, Jesus says 'Yes' (you said it right) 64. He further
goes on to say that they will see Him coming in glory at the right
hand of God (the Mighty One) 64. They rule this 'blasphemy' and
sentence Him to death 65-66. They then mistreat Him and mock Him
67-68. Note: Does it surprise us that those who know not Christ for
who He is, are quick to reject and mock Him. Yet the truth is here
in God's Word for all to read, hear, see, and believe ! Peter ends
up denying the Lord three times, just as Jesus has said 69-74. The
rooster crows, Peter remembers, and them weeps bitterly 74b-75.
Note: I think all of us can relate to Peter !
Matthew 27
Judas response to his betrayal of Jesus is regret, remorse, and
despair 1-3. The insensitivity of the religious leaders is telling
4. Judas throws the money in the temple and takes his own life 4-5.
The chief priests take that money and buy a field to be a burial
place for foreigners 6-7. This fulfilled the word of the Lord
through Jeremiah 8-10 (Jeremiah 32:6-9). Meanwhile, Jesus is tried
before the civil (roman) governor, Pilate 11-26. He questions Jesus
and finds no fault in him. Pilate lets the people decide the
sentence upon Jesus by offering release of either Jesus or Barabbas
(a true criminal) 15-18. Pilate is warned, through his wife not to
do anything to Jesus for HE is innocent 19. Note: Could the Lord
have been giving Pilate a final opportunity to do the right thing ?
I think this again shows that we make free choices and yet the
plans and purposes of God are still fully realized (see: Acts
2:23-24, 3:13-15). Also, Jesus affirms that He is the King of the
Jews 11. The chief priests persuaded the crowds to release Barabbas
and have Jesus crucified 20-23. Here is a sad example of 'mob
rule'. Pilate washes his hands, yet he is still guilty of
sentencing Jesus to a death that He did not deserve 24-26. Jesus is
them mocked by the Roman soldiers before they crucify Him 27-31. He
was crucified at Golgotha or 'the place of the skull' 32-33. The
change against Him and put over His head is being the king of the
Jews 35-38. The crowds mock His claim to be the Son of God 40. The
religious and civil Jewish leaders also mock Him, making reference
to His claim to be 'the son of God' 42-43. Note: Jesus did claim to
be the Son of God and all knew this claim. Those who suggest that
Jesus never made this claim are ignorant of the Scriptures and need
to read the testimony of God's Word more carefully ! There was
darkness over the land for 3 hours 45 as Jesus suffered the
wrath of God for the sin of the world as He became sin for us
(1John 2:1-2). His cry from the cross was one of total abandonment
by God as He absorbed the wrath of God for us and our sins. The
wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23a) and Christ suffered death
(total separation from God) for us and for the sins of the world
(Hebrews 2:9). He endured 'hell' on the cross for you and me !
Jesus then offered up life life and died 50. At that moment the
veil in the temple (which separated the holy presence of God from
the rest of the people) was torn from top to bottom (from God) 51.
The way to God was now opened through the death of Christ. The
raising of some (saints) was in connection with Jesus own
resurrection 52-53. Even the Roman guards declared that Jesus was
indeed the Son of God 54. Note: The charges against Him (being the
king of the Jews and the Son of God) were both true, yet they did
not merit His death, but His worship ! The women also followed
Jesus to the end 55. Joseph of Arimathea puts the body of Jesus
into his own tomb as the women observe this 57-61. The religious
leaders ask for a guard at the tomb, lest the disciples steal His
body and make it appear that He arose. Pilate grants their request
62-66. Note: Is it possible that they feared that Jesus may indeed
arise as He has said. No one can prevent the resurrection of Christ
or oppose the power and purposes of God !
Matthew 28
On the third day being the first day of the week (Sunday) the women
come to the tomb and see the angel at the tomb 1-4. He tells them
that Jesus is not here, He is has risen, just as He said 6. They
were instructed to tell the disciples where they would see Him 5-7.
They see Jesus as they are on the way 8-10. Note: He tells them not
to fear and to go to Galilee 10. Oh, the wonder, joy, and real hope
of the resurrected Christ. Because He lives, we can live also, and
in Him we live eternally ! The guards tell of all that happened and
are 'paid off' by the chief priests 11-15. They accepted the
'hush money' and lie to 'cover up' the truth. Note: Is this not the
ways of the world ? Someone has said 'every man has his price'.
Would you sell out the truth or Jesus Himself for money or any
other material and temporal thing ? Jesus meets with the disciples
in Galilee and give the what has been called 'the great commission'
16-20. Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth 18. This is
the basis from which He can issue such a great commission. They
(and all believers since) are to make disciples (followers) of
Jesus from all the nations by the proclamation of the Good News of
Salvation in Christ alone (Luke 24:44-49). Baptism was part of this
proclamation as one who identify with Jesus in His death, burial,
and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4) and the Trinity (Father, Son and
Holy Spirit) 19. They were also to teach all that Jesus taught them
to do as well 20a. And the final promise that HE is with them (and
us) to the end of the age 20b. Believers are never alone or left to
themselves to complete this commission. They have the very presence
and power of Christ resident within them through the Holy Spirit
(Acts 1:8). May the Lord find each of us faithful to His commission
when HE comes again ! AMEN.