JESUS spelt love for us with the letters p-a-i-n. He was about to be crucified. HE chose to LOVE.
“Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people assembled at the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, and plotted to take Jesus by trickery and kill Him. But they said, ‘Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.’” Matthew 26:3-5
The chief priests, scribes, and elders should have gathered to plan how to support the ministry of Messiah not to plot by trickery how to kill Him.
“And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table. But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, ‘Why this waste? For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.’ But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, ‘Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial. Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this Gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.’ Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?’ And they counted out to him 30 pieces of silver. So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.” Matthew 26:6-16
The disciples were angry. ‘Why this waste?’ The oil might have been converted into money to give to the poor. The woman believed in Jesus Messiah. She anointed Him for His burial.
This was the moment Judas decided to betray Jesus. John 12:6 says that Judas did not care for the poor. He was a thief. He stole from the ministry’s money box.
Jesus said, “Wherever this Gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.” I had the privilege of telling disciples in Guangzhou, China, the story of this woman. I felt like electricity all over me as I did. Messiah used my life to help fulfill one of His prophecies. The Chinese disciples embraced Jesus and the love that this woman had for Him. Glory to God!
“Now on the first day of the Feast of the Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, ‘Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?’ And He said, ‘Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, the Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.’ So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover.” Matthew 26:17-19
The disciples asked Jesus where to prepare for the Passover meal. All indications from the Scriptures are that Jesus did not have a home or a ministry headquarters, but He did have connections. There was a certain man in the city who was happy to let Jesus and His disciples meet in his place.
“When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve. Now as they were eating, He said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.’ And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, ‘Lord, is it I?’ He answered and said, ‘He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me. The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.’ Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered, and said, ‘Rabbi, is it I?’ He said to him, ‘You have said it.’” Matthew 26:20-25
When Jesus announced that one of the disciples would betray Him, it turned the Passover into an exceedingly sad one. Most of the disciples asked, “Lord, is it I?” Judas addressed Jesus not as Lord but as Rabbi, that is, teacher. Jesus affirmed verbally and non-verbally that Judas was the one. “The giving of the dipped bread to Judas designated special honor, like a toast.” [1] Judas dishonored the Lord but Jesus lavished honor on him. In Matthew 5:44, Jesus taught us to love our enemies. He set this example for us.
John 13:2 says that the devil put it in the heart of Judas to betray Jesus. John 13:27 says that the devil entered Judas. The destiny of Judas was a horrible one. First suicide, and then, an eternity without God. Jesus said, “Woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” The price of betraying Jesus is an eternity in hell because only by being IN Jesus Christ are one’s sins forgiven.
“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body.’ Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.’ And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.” Matthew 26:26-30
Jesus explained to His disciples that He was making a new covenant in which His body and blood [not that of bulls and goats], would be the source of their forgiveness. He called the bread and the fruit of the vine His body and blood. Thus, Jesus instituted the replacement of Old Testament animal sacrifices with the sacrifice of Himself. 1 John 2:2 says that Jesus “is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” Propitiation means Jesus has become the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
“Then Jesus said to them, ‘All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.’ Peter answered and said to Him, ‘Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.’ Peter said to Him, ‘Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!’ And so said all the disciples.” Matthew 26:31-35
When Jesus prophesied that all His disciples would stumble and be scattered, Peter should have believed Him. Jesus even quoted Zechariah 13:7 to confirm what was about to happen. But Jesus did not stop there. He confirmed that He would be resurrected and meet them in Galilee.
Peter assumed he was more committed to Jesus than the others. However, after circumstances drastically changed, he denied the Lord three times.
“Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, ‘Sit here while I go and pray over there.’ And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, ‘My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.’ He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, ‘O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.’” Matthew 26:36-39
The soul of Jesus experienced deep sorrow. He wanted His disciples to watch with Him. He fell on His face. He expressed His desire to the Father for a different plan than what was coming. Three times Jesus will ask for the cup to be taken from Him, but ultimately submit to drinking it.
Later, after Peter denied the Lord three times, in John 21:15-17, he professed love for the Lord three times. In 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, Paul pleaded with the Lord three times that a messenger of Satan might be taken from him, but the Lord said to him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” I am glad that the Lord’s grace is sufficient to helps us remain faithful to Him when we are severely tested in ways that are similar to His.
Jesus chose self-sacrifice over self-preservation. He stuck with God’s plan rather than taking an off ramp to a different plan.
“Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, ‘What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, ‘O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.’ And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then He came to His disciples and said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.’ And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people.” Matthew 26:40-47
In his book, “The Hour that Changes the World.” Dick Eastman wrote, “We constantly find Jesus praying. Prayer was more than a part of His life. It was His life.”
Eastman wrote, “Prayer sees God’s infinite power. Prayer surrenders our problems to God and asks for Divine intervention.” [2]
Jesus asked His disciples one question specifically related to the subject of prayer. While in Gethsemane, He asked them, “Could you not watch with Me one hour?” [3]
Eastman asks us, “Would you consider giving God a daily, sacrificial gift of time. Perhaps even as much as 60 minutes every day? It would be time spent with God in worship, prayer and Bible reading.” [4]
Eastman’s ministry has reached 800 Chinese cities since he began the one-hour prayer focus.
Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me.” What kind of cup was Jesus talking about? He was talking about a cup full of punishment for sinners. “This cup” had whipping, punches, jeers, spit, thorns and nails in it for Jesus because He took on our sins.
Scott Hahn called this cup, “The Fourth Cup.”
Before going to the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus ate the Passover feast with His disciples. The Passover feast is a meal of remembrance. God gave the Jews specific instructions to follow when they celebrated Passover. The Passover meal is essentially divided into four parts.
The first part of the feast is the welcome. The first part of the feast involves a dish of herbs and a cup. The first cup is the “cup of blessing or deliverance.”
The second part of the feast involves a retelling of the Passover story. God freed the Israelites from slavery. God led them through the wilderness into the Promised Land. The second cup is the “cup of remembrance.” The cup of remembrance is blessed and then drunk.
The third part of the meal is when the delicious lamb and unleavened bread are eaten. The participants also drink from a third cup. During the third part of the Passover meal, Jesus says, “This bread is Me.” Whenever you break this bread, you shall remember Me.” Then, Jesus took the third cup and said something the disciples had never heard before. He said, “This cup is My blood poured out for you and for many people for the forgiveness of sins.”
The fourth part of the meal involves the singing of a hymn. Traditionally, the words of Psalm 114-118 are sung. It’s a song called, “The Great Praise.” Psalms 114-118 recount God’s saving acts for His people. Freedom from Pharaoh! Entering the Promised Land! After singing, “The Great Praise,” the participants drank from the fourth cup. It is called the cup of consummation. Completion! Jesus and the disciples did not drink the fourth cup.
After they sang the hymn, they went to Gethsemane. While there, Jesus resolved to drink the fourth cup. He was the fourth cup. Jesus said to the disciples that He would not drink of the fruit of the vine until His mission was complete. Later, while hanging on the cross, Jesus said these words, “I thirst.” Jesus was offered sour wine and vinegar to drink. He refused to drink of it. Why, because that cup that was offered to Him was not the fourth cup. The body He sacrificed for us is the fourth Passover Cup. That’s why at the moment Jesus died, He said, “It is finished.” The only cup sufficient for our salvation was the cup of Christ’s life poured out for us.
A great multitude with swords and clubs came from the chief priests and elders to arrest Jesus. They mischaracterized Jesus as a dangerous leader whereas He had done no evil. JESUS chose to LOVE.
“Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, ‘Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.’ Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed Him. But Jesus said to him, ‘Friend, why have you come?’ Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him.” Matthew 26:48-50
One of the few kisses that Jesus received on earth was from His betrayer. JESUS chose to LOVE.
“And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. But Jesus said to him, ‘Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than 12 legions of angels? How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?’ In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, ‘Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me. But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.’ Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.” Matthew 26:51-56
John 18:10 tells us that Peter cut off the right ear of Malchus, a servant of the High Priest. Jesus told Peter to put his sword away. Jesus asked him, “Do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels.” Twelve legions is 36,000-72,000 angels. Jesus did not call for His angels because He was determined to fulfill what the Scriptures prophesied about Him. Then, Jesus healed the injured man’s ear.
Jesus demonstrated God’s love for Malchus during one of the darkest hours of His life.
ALL the disciples abandoned JESUS! JESUS chose to LOVE.
“And those who had laid hold of Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. But Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest’s courtyard. And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end. Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last, two false witnesses came forward and said, ‘This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’ And the high priest arose and said to Him, ‘Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?’ But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, ‘I put You under oath by the living God: tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.’” Matthew 26:57-64
The so-called spiritual leaders sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death. They could not accuse Him justly, so they unjustly accused Him. JESUS chose to LOVE.
When His accusers demanded Him to say if He was “the Christ, the Son of God!” Jesus admitted that He was and prophesied of a very unhappy future for them, saying, “You will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” I imagine they will be watching, weeping and gnashing their teeth in hell when this comes to pass.
“Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, ‘He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy! What do you think?’ They answered and said, ‘He is deserving of death.’ Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands, saying, ‘Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?’” Matthew 26:65-68
They verbally and physically abused Jesus. As spit and blood ran down His face, they urged Him with a satanic aura of wickedness, “Prophesy to us, Messiah!”
“Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, ‘You also were with Jesus of Galilee.’ But he denied it before them all, saying, ‘I do not know what you are saying.’ And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, ‘This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.’ But again he denied with an oath, ‘I do not know the Man!’ And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, ‘Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.’ Then he began to curse and swear, saying, ‘I do not know the Man!’ Immediately a rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the Word of Jesus who had said to him, ‘Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.’ So, he went out and wept bitterly.” Matthew 26:69-75
Peter vehemently denied that He knew Jesus. The Good News is that Jesus forgave those who mistreated Him while hanging on the cross. In Luke 23:34, He prayed, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” Jesus forgave Peter and led many souls to God through Peter.
Praise God! What a Savior!
Have you ever questioned if Jesus could forgive the sins? I have. I need to consider the sacrifice of Christ for my sins daily to maintain my hope of being with God in heaven when my life is over.
Jesus gives faith, hope and love. He is wonderful!
[1] Enduring Word Commentary
[2] Dick Eastman, The Hour that Changes the World, Chosen Books Publishers, Grand Rapids, MI © 98, 02, p. 25
[3] Ibid, p. 18
[4] Ibid, p. 23; Matthew 26:40
[5] Ibid, p. 24
[1] Enduring Word Commentary
[2] Dick Eastman, The Hour that Changes the World, Chosen Books Publishers, Grand Rapids, MI © 98, 02, p. 25
[3] Ibid, p. 18
[4] Ibid, p. 23; Matthew 26:40
[5] Ibid, p. 24
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