Mathew 26
RELIGIOUS LEADERS PLOT TO KILL JESUS
Jesus was nearing the end of his Journey. Matthew did not
record much about Jesus teachings in his writings during this time. The book of John covers
more. Jesus was telling the disciples that the end was near. Jesus had done
this multiple times, Mat_16:21-28;
Mat_17:22-23;
Mat_20:17-19,
but now it was near.
Mat 26:1 When Jesus had finished saying all these
things, He said to His disciples, Mat over to be
crucified."
Life Application Commentary New Testament says: 26:1-2 "That Jesus would be
betrayed and crucified during Passover was deeply significant with
respect to Jewish history. The “Passover” commemorated the night the Israelites
were freed from Egypt (Exodus 12)—when God “passed over” homes marked by the
blood of a lamb. This was the last great plague on Egypt when, in unmarked
homes, the firstborn sons died. After this horrible disaster, Pharaoh allowed
the Israelites to leave. Annually, Hebrew families would celebrate the Passover
meal, a feast with the main course of lamb. The sacrifice of a lamb and the
spilling of its blood commemorated Israel’s escape from Egypt, when the blood
of a lamb painted on their doorposts had saved their firstborn sons from death.
This event foreshadowed Jesus’ work on the cross. As the spotless Lamb of God,
his blood would be spilled in order to save his people from the penalty of
death brought by sin".
Mat 26:3 At that same time the leading priests and
elders were meeting at the residence of Caiaphas, the high priest, Mat 26:4
plotting how to capture Jesus secretly and kill Him. Mat 26:5
"But not during the Passover celebration," they agreed,
"or the people may riot."
The town of Jerusalem was normally 50,000 people but during Passover
the town population would rise to 250,000. The belief is they went ahead with the
arresting because of Judas Iscariot
promising to hand Jesus over .
A WOMAN ANOINTS JESUS WITH PERFUME
Matthew 26:6-13
Mat 26:6 Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home
of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. Mat
26:7 While He was eating, a woman
came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over
His head.
Bethany is on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives,
Jerusalem is on the western side. This town was the home of Lazarus, Mary, and
Martha. Simon had prepared a dinner for
Jesus, Jesus had cured Simon from Leprosy. The woman that poured the perfume
was most likely Mary.
Mat 26:8
The disciples were indignant when they saw this. "What a
waste!" they said. Mat 26:9 "It could have been sold for a high
price and the money given to the poor." Mat 26:10 But Jesus, aware of this, replied, "Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to
Me? Mat 26:11 You will always have
the poor among you, but you will not always have Me.
This is Jesus giving the disciples a bit of a warning that
his death was imminent. He would not be there to teach and educate them, nor
heal the sick. That would now be their job.
Mat 26:12 She has poured this
perfume on Me to prepare My body for burial. Mat 26:13 I tell you the truth,
wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman's deed will
be remembered and discussed."
Have we not heard this story many times? I have heard many
sermons on this. It is a well known story. For young Christians it may be new
and I hope you remember it. Jesus said it in verse 26:13 "I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached
throughout the world, this woman's deed will be remembered and discussed."
Agape
Dave
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