Matthew: Chapter 26
The last three chapters of Matthew, records the arrest, trail, crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus. Chapter 26 focuses on the plot of the chief priests and the elders to arrest and put Jesus on trail, putting in motion everything that is to follow. Besides this, the chapter also sees Jesus anointed at Bethany, Judas’ betrayal, Peter’s denial and the Lord’s supper.
The Plot
As we have seen in the previous chapters, the chief priests and elders didn’t take kindly to Jesus exposing their hypocrisy and feared that their authority would be lost. In response, they plotted to kill Jesus. And now, as the appointed time approached, they carried out their scheme. Further, Judas, one of the Twelve, went to them and agreed to hand over Jesus for thirty silver coins.
The anointing of Jesus at Bethany
While Jesus was in the home of a man (known as Simon the Leper), in Bethany, a woman came to him with an alabster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. Some who were present there were indignant, as they thought it to be a waste. But Jesus defended her stating that this was in preparation for his burial, and that this incident will be retold everywhere the gospel is preached.
“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.” Matthew 26:13
The Lord’s Supper
The disciples under the instruction of Jesus prepared the Passover at a certain place. As they were reclining at the table, Jesus lets them know that one of them will be betraying him. This naturally makes the disciples very sad.
After this, Jesus broke the bread and gave to the disciples and took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, telling them to do this in remembrance of him. The wine being symbolic to the blood of Jesus which was shed for the forgiveness of sins of all mankind, and the bread being symbolic of his body which was beaten and thrashed, suffering completely for the sake of every human.
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” 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.” Matthew 26:26-28
Everytime, when we partake in the holy communion, we remember the love of the LORD, who sent his only son to earth, to die for our sins, in our place, instread of us. It is through the blood of Christ, that we are forgiven from our sins, and being forgiven, we are able to call the LORD as our Father. As we celebrate Christmas, remembering the birth of Christ, let is also remind ourselves of this great sacrifice and atonement. Further, we ought to also prepare ourselves for the second coming of Christ, who would soon return to judge the world.
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
Once they finished eating, the disciples and Jesus leave to the Mount of Olives. Jesus predicts that the disciples would be scattered and that he’d face what is to come alone. Nevertheless, he encourgages them saying that he will go ahead of them to Galilee after he rises from death.
Peter states that he would never fall away, even if the others leave. But Jesus specifically predicts that Peter will disown him three times before the cock crows. Peter still maintains even more zealeously that he would not disown Jesus, even if it means that he dies with Jesus. At this the other disciples say the same.
Gethsemane
Then Jesus and his disciplies went to a place called Gethsemane and he asked them to sit here and pray. At this point, Jesus is overwhelmed with sorrow, and is troubled. He specifically tells this to Peter, James and John and asks them to keep watch and pray.
Going a little further, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “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
Jesus returned to his disciples and found them sleeping, and asked if they could not keep watch with him for even an hour. Further instructing them, saying, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”
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.” Matthew 26:42
When he came back, he found the disciples to be sleeping yet again, for their eyes were heavy, so he goes away once more to pray. Then Jesus returns and wakes up his disciples, telling them that the hour is near and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
There is a contrast here between Jesus and the disciples. Though they were sad about what Jesus had previously said, they didn’t fully comprehend what was about to happen. Thus, we see the disciples sleeping, not realising that everything was going to change overnight. Jesus on the other hand, was troubled. Which was not something we have seen. But this once again shows how human Jesus was, and the anguish he was in. Jesus was not just worried about the physical suffering he has to undergo, but also, or even more worried about the disciples, who would be scattered like sheep without a shepherd. In all this, Jesus was set on fulfilling the will of the Father, and this gave him strength.
Jesus Arrested
Enter Judas. One of the Twelve. Now, the betrayer! Along with him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, courtesy of the chief priests and the elders of the people. Judas betrays Jesus with a brief exchange and a kiss, which signaled the men to step forward, seize and arrest Jesus. At this one of Jesus’ companions drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting his ear.
Jesus however, tells this disciple to put his sword back, pointing out that this needs to happen for the scriptures to be fulfilled. With Jesus willingly going with the crowd, the disciples fled.
At that time Jesus said to the crowd, “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.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled. Matthew 26:55,56
Before the Sanhedrin
Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiphas, the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. Peter followed them at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.
The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin looked for false evidence against Jesus to put him to death, but did not find any, despite many false witnesses who came forward. Then two came forward and declared that Jesus said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’ Then the high priest stood up and asked Jesus if he was going to answer for all these charges. Jesus remianed silent. Then he asks Jesus if he is the Christ, the Son of God.
“Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. "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." Matthew 26:64
At this the high priest tore his clothes and cried "Blasphemy!" and the crowd responded saying that Jesus was worthy of death for this statement. They spit in Jesus' face and struck him with their fists.
The so called elders of the people, clearly had their own agenda. They never cared about doing things righteously or lawfully, as seen from their abundant false witnessess. They just wanted to hold their positions and did not like being called out for their sins. Jesus patiently endured all the abuses they hurled at him, since he knew all of this was part of the mission he is to fulfil.
Peter Disowns Jesus
Back to Peter, who was waiting out in the courtyard, he was recognised by the servant girls and later others standing there. However, when asked about his acquaintance with Jesus, he denied again and again and finally began calling down curses and swearing that he did not know the man. Immediately, a rooster crowed.
Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: "Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly. Matthew 26:74
Jesus predicting this, Peter ultimately disowning Jesus, and then the effect it had on him, is very crucial. Peter was quite zealous, and not someone we would expect to backslide. Yet, here he was. However, his reaction to his misstep, separates him from the likes of people like Judas. Earlier, we noted that the disciples were saddened when they heard Jesus predicting the betrayal by one of them. Then, we saw them being sad when Jesus predicted that they will scatter. And now, we see Peter weeping when he realises what Jesus had predicted came to be.
This could also be when Peter, (and maybe the other disciples) finally understood that everything Jesus told about his death is going to happen quickly. Alas, there is nothing he could do now. And probably in his mind, he felt like he had failed Jesus.
However, later, Jesus would gather all the disciples and encourgage them to carry on and spread the gospel. This same Peter, who wept bitterly for disowning Jesus was strengthened to lead the disciples.
Peter is a good example of someone who inadvertently backslides, but repenting and getting back to God. While it is ideal for us all to never slip from the good path, the fact is that we occationally do slip, and sometimes even fall away from the way of God. In such a case, what matters the most is we get back on track, repenting for what we did wrong, and reconsiling with the LORD Almighty. Just like Peter here.
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 2 Corinthians 7:10
Lets stick to fulfilling the will of the LORD, and staying on the righteous path through the strength provided to us from above. See you in the next one. Take care of yourself and each other!
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