SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 26
THE PLOT AGAINST JESUS (vs. 1-5)
Jesus told his disciples that the Passover is two days away – and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified. Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest Caiaphas, and they plotted to arrest Jesus in a slay way so that there will be no riot among the people.
JESUS ANOINTED AT BETHANY (vs. 6-13)
While Jesus was in the home of Simon the Leper in Bethany, a woman poured an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume on the head of Jesus. The disciples were resentful why she wasted that expensive perfume. She should have sold it at high price and gave the money to the poor. But Jesus said: “The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” (v. 11-13)
JUDAS AGREES TO BETRAY JESUS (vs. 14-16)
One of the twelve disciples of Jesus, Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests and asked how much they are willing to give him if he hand over Jesus to them. They gave him thirty silver coins. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
THE LORD’S SUPPER (vs. 17-30)
On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened bread, the disciples prepared the Passover at the house of a man. While eating, Jesus divulged to them that one of the disciples will betray him. They began to ask one after the other, “Surely not I, Lord?” Jesus replied: “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man. It would be better for him if he had not been born.” (vs. 23-24)., Then Judas asked Jesus: “Surely not I, Rabbi?”. Jesus answered, “Yes, it is you.” (v. 25-26). Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body” (v. 26). Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when i drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom” (vs. 28-29) Then they sung a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.
JESUS PREDICTS PETER’S DENIAL (vs. 31-46)
Jesus told his disciples: “This very night you will all fall away on account of men, for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered’ But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” (vs. 31-32) But Peter said: “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will” (v. 33). But Jesus answered: “This very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” (v. 34). But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples also said the same. (v. 35)
GETHSEMANE (vs. 36-46)
Jesus and his disciples went to Gethsemane. He took Peter, James and John along with him and told them to stay there and keep watch with him. Then he prayed to God “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me, Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (v. 39). Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. He told Peter: “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” (v. 41). Then he went away a second time and prayed: “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” (v. 42). When he came back, his disciples were still sleeping. So he left them and went away once more and prayed third time, saying the same thing. Then he returned to the disciples and said to them: “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”: (v. 45-46)
JESUS ARRESTED (vs. 47-56)
Judas Iscariot arrived with a large crowd armed with swords and clubs sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. The betrayer arranged a kiss signal for them to arrest Jesus. Judas went to Jesus and said: “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. Then Peter reached for his sword, drew it out and cut off the ear of the servant of the high priest. But Jesus rebuked him and said: “Put your sword back in its place. For all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” (vs. 52-54). Then Jesus turned to the crowd and said: “Am I leading a rebellion that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled” (v. 55-56). Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.
BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN (vs. 57-68)
Jesus was brought to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. Peter followed him at a distance and sat down with the guards to see the outcome. The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus but they did not find any. Then two witnesses came forward and said: “This fellow said he is going to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.” (v. 61) Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to him: “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God” (v. 63). Jesus replied: “Yes, it is as you say. But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven” (v. 64). The the high priest accused him of blasphemy and worthy of death. They spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Other slapped him and said: “Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?” (v. 68)
PETER DISOWNS JESUS (vs. 69-75)
Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee” (v. 69). But he denied it and said: “I don’t know what you are talking about.” (v. 70). Then he went out to the gateway, where another girl saw him and said to the people there. “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.” (v. 71). He denied it again with an oath saying “I don’t know the man!” (v. 72) After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said: “Surely you are one of them, for your accent gives you away” (v. 73). Then he swore to them: “I don’t know the man!” (v. 74). Immediately, a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the roaster crows, you will disown me three times.” (v. 75). And he went outside and wept bitterly.
THOUGHTS:
OPPORTUNITIES:
- The Jewish leaders looked for opportunity to destroy Jesus but Jesus was anticipating the opportunity to obey his Father and bring Him glory.
- Mary used the opportunity she had to express her devotion to Christ by offering expensive perfume to him. But His disciples used the same opportunity to criticize her.
- Judas seized the opportunity to enrich himself and became a traitor.
- Jesus sought the opportunity to be with his disciples and prepare them although he knew that one would betray Him, one would deny Him, and all would forsake Him.
- Peter missed the opportunity to witness for Christ. But later, he repented and wept.
How about you? How will you use the opportunities that God has given you?
Jesus prayed and asked God that the cup be taken away. However, it follows with 2 other conditions: (1)-If it is possible. (2)-Yet not as I will, but as you will. When you face struggles, can you trust God’s plan in obedience and say I am willing to submit to your will?
Jesus went to pray. Upon returning, he found his disciples sleeping. He warned Peter “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing but the body is weak” (v. 41). To watch means to keep alert. Keeping alert means being aware of the possibilities of temptation and spiritually equipped to fight it. Temptation strikes us when we are most vulnerable. We need prayer for God’s strength to shore up defenses and defeat Satan’s power.
Kiss is a simple greetings to express love and affection. However, Judas used it to betray Jesus. Beware of people who pretended to love you but in reality has evil motives towards you.
The man who cut off the servant’s ear was Peter as written in John 18:10. Peter was trying to show revenge without realizing that Jesus had to die in order to gain victory. Jesus demonstrated perfect commitment to his Fathers will by healing the servant’s ear.
The high council tried to find ways to accuse Jesus. They found two witnesses who distorted Jesus’ words about the Temple. They claimed that Jesus had said he could destroy the Temple – a blasphemous boast. Actually what Jesus meant by Temple was his body, not the building. The religious leaders were going to destroy Jesus’ body and three days later he would rise from the dead.
When Jesus affirmed that He is Christ, the Son of God, they charged him of blasphemy which is a great crime and punishable by death. They condemned Him and decided to kill Him.
PETER’S DENIAL OF JESUS INVOLVES 3 STAGES
- He acted confused and tried to divert attention from himself by changing the subject.
- He used an oath and denied that he knew Jesus.
- He swore that the did not know Jesus.
BELIEVERS CAN DENY JESUS IN THREE WAYS:
- Pretending not to know him.
- Avoid discussing on religious issues and walk away to pretend they do not know the answers.
- When pressures come, they also flatly deny any relationship with Christ.