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Matthew

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Shameful Betrayal

Matthew 26:14-16 

The woman who broke a jar of perfume over Jesus' head showed that she valued Him more than the wealth locked up in the fragrance (Matthew 26:6-9).  In a tragic juxtaposition of events in the next narrative, Judas Iscariot, the treasurer for Jesus and a thief (John 12:6), proved that he prized the value of money much more highly than his relationship with Jesus Christ.
 

All Planned

Matthew 26:17-19

Although we may like to think that we have got our life planned out, it hardly ever works out as we had wanted.  The reason: we are not in total control of our circumstances or even ourselves.  But for Jesus, it was different ...

The Betrayer Exposed

Matthew 26:20-25 

The Passover celebration was a family meal, and it was in that style that Jesus ate the Last Supper.  Although the traditional formality of the Passover order of service focussed their minds on being grateful to God for His goodness, it was combined with informal domestic conversation.  As they were relaxing, Jesus caught them by surprise, saying that His betrayer was sitting at the table with Him.  It was a shock.  Each one of the twelve disciples, realising something of the unreliability of their own heart, asked Jesus if they would be the culprit.
 

The Precious Body and Blood of Christ

Matthew 26:26-30

Central to the Passover celebration is the distribution of broken bread and the sharing of four symbolic cups of wine.  Its origin goes back to God’s deliverance of His people from slavery in Egypt.  The previous evening, they ate a supper of roast lamb and bread.  Before the meal, each Israelite family put the blood from the sacrificed lamb on the outer door frames of their houses (Exodus 12:1-7).  God would bring death to the arrogant Egyptians that night, but the Israelites were safe because God had said, "When I see the blood, I will pass-over you" (Exodus 12:12-13).  The bread

Unwilling To Accept The Truth

Matthew 26:31-35

Jesus and eleven disciples had left the Upper Room; the Passover meal was over and they walked in the darkness to the Mount of Olives (Matthew 26:30).  Judas Iscariot had gone to do his evil business immediately after taking the bread (John 13:26-30): interestingly he did not take the wine from the cup of redemption.  More evil was waiting to tempt the disciples.  Jesus knew what would happen, but His men refused to accept the truth about their own weakness and His power.  Quoting from the Old Testament (Zechariah 13:7-8), Jesus predicted that none of the disciples would stay loyal to Him:

Fellowship In Grief

Matthew 26:36-38 

It is difficult to think of God as being overwhelmed.  Surely, He is always above everything and in command of everything.  Yes, He is.  But God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, chose to make Himself nothing and submit to being overwhelmed by death (Philippians 2:6-8).  It was His choice.
 

Watching And Praying

Matthew 26:39-41

Jesus had taken Peter, James and John into the Garden of Gethsemane that Passover night (Matthew 26:36-38).  The other disciples were left sitting at the gateway, but these three trainee apostles were chosen to be witnesses to the agony which Jesus was going through in the same way that they were witnesses of His glory in the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-3; 2 Peter 1:16-18).  He also wanted them to be prayerful supporters, lest Satan should gain the upper hand in the battle, against them as well as against Him.  As Jesus stepped further into the darkness, away from the light of flickering

Submission Versus Sleeping

Matthew 26:42-46

Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane in the final hour before His arrest. Peter, James and John were close by, and the other disciples were a little further away probably at the gate to the garden.  In Jesus' first prayer He asked, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will" (Matthew 26:39).   Now, the second time He prays, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."
 

The Betrayer's Final Lie

Matthew 26:47-50

Jesus was not taken by surprise.  In the darkness, He gathered His sleepy disciples around Him in the Garden of Gethsemane, "Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!" (Matthew 26:46).  It was hardly an ambush: Jesus knew that Judas had already betrayed Him to the religious authorities (Matthew 26:14-16) and that they would know where to find Him. Then Judas came, guiding a detachment of soldiers and religious officials (John 18:3) accompanied by a large mob carrying weapons and home-made clubs, and flaming torches to illuminate the garden. They were expecting a fight.
 

The Arrogance Of Protecting Jesus

Matthew 26:51-54

The Creator of the world (John 1:1-3) had just been arrested.  However, it was no surprise; it was in a place and at a time that was God’s own choice.  He was in control; it was prophesied centuries before (Zechariah 13:7).  But the disciples did not understand.  Peter, who had declared his intention to die with Jesus if necessary (a foolish statement made more with bravado than true courage) had a sword; one of two that they took with them (Luke 22:38).
 

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