MATTHEW 26
OPENS WITH...JESUS’ BETRAYAL AND ARREST
Verses 1-2 tells us...The stage is set for the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus. Jesus reminds His disciples of His coming suffering and crucifixion.
"Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, that He said to His disciples, “You know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”
When Jesus had finished all these sayings...
In Matthew’s Gospel, the teaching of Jesus is finished here. In these last days leading up to His betrayal and crucifixion, He WARNED the multitudes about the CORRUPT POLITICAL, SOCIETAL & RELIGIOUS LEADERSHIP and He spoke to His disciples about things to come. Now, it was time for Jesus to FULFILL His work on the cross.
CLARKE says it well, “Having instructed his disciples and the Jews by his discourses, edified them by his example, convinced them by his miracles, he now prepares to redeem them by his blood!”
You know that after two days…the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified...
Perhaps after the triumphal descriptions of the coming kingdom, the disciples were strengthened in their idea that it was impossible that the Messiah should suffer. Jesus reminded them that this was not the case.
Verses 3-5 tells us The EVIL/ILLEGAL plot against Jesus.
"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.”
Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders…plotted to take Jesus by trickery and kill Him...
The long controversy between Jesus and the religious leaders had finally come to this.
According to Carson, the use of both assembled and plotted is deliberately suggestive of Psalm 31:13: For I am the slander of many; fear is on every side; while they take counsel together against me, they scheme to take away my life.
The high priest, who was called Caiaphas...
Annas was deposed by the secular authorities in a.d. 15 and replaced by Caiaphas, who lived and ruled till his death in a.d. 36. But since according to the Old Testament the high priest was not to be replaced till after his death, the transfer of power was illegal. Doubtless some continued to call either man ‘high priest.
BARCLAY adds, “Between 37 b.c. and a.d. 67…there were no fewer than twenty-eight High Priests. The suggestive thing is that Caiaphas was High Priest from a.d. 18 to a.d. 36. This was an extraordinarily long time for a High Priest to last, and Caiaphas must have brought the technique of co-operating with the Romans to a fine art.”
About two years after our Lord’s crucifixion, Caiaphas and Pilate were both deposed by Vitellius, then governor of Syria, and afterwards emperor. Caiaphas, unable to bear this disgrace, and the stings of his conscience for the murder of Christ, killed himself about a.d. 35.
Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar...
They did NOT want to put Jesus to death during Passover, but that is exactly how it happened. This is another subtle indication that Jesus WAS in control of events, as they in fact killed Him on the very day that they did NOT want to.
The leaders were right in fearing the people. Jerusalem’s population swelled perhaps fivefold during the feast; and with religious fervor and national messianism at a high pitch, a spark might set off an explosion.
Verses 6-13 tells us A woman anoints Jesus before His death.
"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.”
A woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil...
We know from John 12 that this woman was Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha. Mary, who sat at the feet of Jesus (Luke 10:39), made this extravagant display of love and devotion to Jesus.
DID YOU KNOW...
There is some measure of debate, and sometimes confusion, about this anointing of Jesus and those mentioned in Mark, Luke, and John. The best solution seems to be that Matthew, Mark, and John record one occasion of anointing in Bethany and Luke records a separate event in Galilee.
Simon the leper is otherwise unknown to us. He was presumably a well-known local figure, perhaps one whom Jesus had cured (as one who was still a leper could not entertain guests to dinner) but whose nickname remained as a reminder of his former disease.
MORRIS says on the alabaster flask: “It had no handles and was furnished with a long neck which was broken off when the contents were needed…We may fairly deduce that this perfume was costly. Jewish ladies commonly wore a perfume flask suspended from a cord round the neck, and it was so much a part of them that they were allowed to wear it on the sabbath.”
Why this waste? The disciples criticized this display of love and honor for Jesus. Specifically, the CHIEF critic was Judas (John 12:4-6). But Jesus defended Mary as an example of someone who simply did a good work for Him. Her extravagant – reckless really – giving for Jesus would be remembered as long as the gospel was preached (as a memorial to her).
What they call waste, Jesus calls ‘a beautiful thing.'
You have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always...
Jesus did not say this to discourage generosity and kind treatment of the poor. In fact, His recent words about the judgment of the nations had just radically encouraged kindness to those in need (Matthew 25:31-46). Jesus pointed to the appropriate nature of that moment to honor Him in an extravagant way.
She did it for My burial...
Even if she did not understand the full significance of what she did, Mary’s act said something that the disciples didn’t say or do. She gave Jesus the love and attention He deserved before His great suffering. She understood more because she was in the place of greatest understanding – being at the feet of Jesus.
Kings were anointed. Priests were anointed. Each of these would have been true in the case of Jesus, yet He claimed that she anointed Him for His burial.
What this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her...
What Mary did was remarkable for its motive – a pure, loving heart. It was remarkable in that it was done for Jesus alone. And it was remarkable in that it was unusual and extraordinary.
Verses 14-16 tells us Judas makes a EVIL agreement with the religious leaders.
"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 thirty pieces of silver. So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.
Then one of the twelve...
The sense from Matthew is that the matter with Mary was the final insult to Judas, even though it may have happened some days before. After that, he was determined to betray Jesus to the religious leaders who wanted to kill Him.
What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you? Through the centuries, many suggestions have been offered regarding the motive of Judas in betraying Jesus.
Matthew 10:4 calls him Judas Iscariot; it may be that he was from Kerioth, a city in southern Judea. This would make Judas the ONLY Judean among the other disciples, who were all Galileans. Some wonder if Judas resented the leadership of the Galilean fishermen among the disciples above himself, and finally had enough of it.
1. Perhaps Judas was disillusioned with the type of Messiah Jesus revealed Himself to be; wanting a more political, conquering Messiah who would make HIM a leader over all things as well.
2. Perhaps Judas watched the ongoing conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders and concluded that they were winning and Jesus was losing; therefore, he decided to cut his losses and join the winning side.
3. Perhaps he came to the conclusion that Jesus simply was not the Messiah or a true Prophet, even as Saul of Tarsus had believed.
4. Some even suggest that Judas did this from a noble motive; that he was impatient for Jesus to reveal Himself as a powerful Messiah, and he thought that this would force Him to do this.
5. Whatever the specific reason, the Scriptures present no sense of reluctance in Judas, and only one motivation: GREED. The words stand: “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?“
And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver...
REGARDLESS the debates & noble theories considered down through time, According to the Bible, there was NO noble intention in Judas’ heart. His motive was simply money, and his price wasn’t too high: thirty pieces of silver was worth perhaps $25.
The exact value of thirty pieces of silver is somewhat difficult to determine, but it was undeniably a small amount, not a great amount. “It was a known set price for the basest slave, Exodus 21:31; Joel 3:3, 6.
Verses 17-20 tells us A Last Supper with the disciples and the preparations for the Passover: remembering redemption.
"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. When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve."
Now on the first day of the Feast of the Unleavened Bread...
This must have been a very moving commemoration for Jesus. Passover remembers the deliverance of Israel from Egypt, which was the central act of redemption in the Old Testament. Jesus now provided a new center of redemption to be remembered by a new ceremonial meal.
This mention of the FIRST DAY of the Feast of the Unleavened Bread brings up complicated issues of the precise calendar chronology of these events. The main complicating issue is that Matthew, Mark, and Luke present this meal Jesus will have with His disciples as the Passover meal – normally eaten with lamb which was sacrificed on the day of Passover with a great ceremony at the temple. Yet John seems to indicate that the meal took place before the Passover (John 13:1), and that Jesus was actually crucified on the Passover BECAUSE JESUS CHRIST WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICAL LAMB (John 18:28).
BRUCE says it best, regarding precise chronological analysis: “The discussions are irksome, and their results uncertain; and they are apt to take the attention off far more important matters.”
When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve...
Since the Jewish day began at sundown, Jesus ate the Passover and was killed on the same day according to the Jewish calendar.
However, it would be wrong to say that there was no Passover lamb at this last supper Jesus had with His disciples; He was the Passover lamb. Paul would later refer to Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us (1 Corinthians 5:7).
Verses 21-25 tells us Jesus gives Judas a last opportunity to repent.
"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.”
Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me...
In the midst of their Passover meal, Jesus made a startling announcement. He told His disciples that one of their own – these twelve who had lived and heard and learned from Jesus for three years – would betray Him.
If we are familiar with this story it is easy not to appreciate its impact. It’s easy to lose appreciation for how terrible it was for one of Jesus’ own to betray Him. For good reason Dante’s great poem about heaven and hell places Judas in the lowest place of hell.
He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me...
Jesus said this not to point out a specific disciple, because they all dipped with Him. Instead, Jesus identified the betrayer as a friend, someone who ate at the same table with Him.
This idea is drawn from Psalm 41:9: "Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. “My fellow-commoner, my familiar friend,"
Rabbi, is it I?
It was noble for the 11 other disciples to ask this question (Lord, is it I?); it was terrible hypocrisy for Judas to ask it. For Judas to ask, “Rabbi, is it I?” while knowing he had already arranged the arrest of Jesus was the height of treachery.
You have said it...
Jesus did not say this to condemn Judas, but to call him to repentance. It is fair to assume that He said it with love in His eyes, and Jesus showed Judas that He loved him, even knowing his treachery.
Verses 26-29 tells us Jesus INSTITUTES the Lord’s Supper.
"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.”
As they were eating...
Sometime during or after this dinner, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet (John 13:1-11). Following this, Judas left (John 13:30). Then Jesus gave the extended discourse with His disciples and prayer to God the Father described in John 13:31-17:26.
Was Judas present for the first celebration of the Lord’s Supper? The debate centers on the manuscript of John 13:2. And during supper at John 13:2. This would indicate that Jesus washed feet and Judas left sometime during the meal, and therefore LEFT BEFORE the institution of the Lord’s Supper.
Most confidently believe Judas was NOT part of this part of the Lord’s Supper (such as Morgan: “Before the new feast was instituted, Judas had gone out (John 13:30).”).
Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it...
When the bread was lifted up at Passover, the head of the meal said: “This is the bread of affliction which our fathers ate in the land of Egypt. Let everyone who hungers come and eat; let everyone who is needy come and eat the Passover meal.” Everything eaten at the Passover meal had symbolic meaning. The bitter herbs recalled the bitterness of slavery; the salt water remembered the tears shed under Egypt’s oppression. The main course of the meal – a lamb freshly sacrificed for that particular household – did not symbolize anything connected to the agonies of Egypt. It was the sin-bearing sacrifice that allowed the judgment of God to pass over the household that believed.
The Passover created a nation; a mob of slaves were freed from Egypt and became a nation. This NEW Passover also creates a people; those united in Jesus Christ, remembering and trusting His sacrifice.
Take, eat; this is My body…This is My blood of the new covenant...
Jesus didn’t give the normal explanation of the meaning of each of the foods. He reinterpreted them in Himself, and the focus was no longer on the suffering of Israel in Egypt, but on the sin-bearing suffering of Jesus on their behalf.
This is how we remember what Jesus did for us. As we eat the bread, we should remember how Jesus was broken, pierced, and beaten with stripes for our redemption. As we drink the cup, we should remember that His blood, His life was poured out on Calvary for us.
This is how we fellowship with Jesus...
Because His redemption has reconciled us to God, we can now sit down to a meal with Jesus, and enjoy each other’s company.
This is My blood of the new covenant...
Remarkably, Jesus announced the institution of a new covenant. No mere man could ever institute a new covenant between God and man, but Jesus is the God-man. He has the authority to establish a new covenant, sealed with blood, even as the old covenant was sealed with blood (Exodus 24:8).
The NEW covenant concerns an INNER transformation that cleanses us from all sin...
Jeremiah 31:34, "For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more."
This transformation puts God’s Word and will IN us:
Jeremiah 31:33, "I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts."
This covenant is all about a NEW, close relationship with God.
JEREMIAH 31:33, "I will be their God, and they shall be My people."
We can say that the blood of Jesus made the new covenant possible, and it also made it sure and reliable. It is confirmed with the life of God Himself.
Because of what Jesus did on the cross, we have can have a new covenant relationship with God. Sadly, many followers of Jesus live as if it NEVER happened.
· As if there is no inner transformation
· As if there is no true cleansing from sin.
· As if there is no Word and will of God in our hearts.
· As if there is no new and close relationship with God.
Which is shed for many...
SPURGEON adds, “In that large word ‘many’ let us exceedingly rejoice. Christ’s blood was not shed for the handful of apostles alone. There were but eleven of them who really partook of the blood symbolized by the cup. The Savior does not say, ‘This is my blood which is shed for you, the favored eleven;’ but ‘shed for many.'”
This is My body…this is My blood...
The precise understanding of these words from Jesus have been the source of great theological controversy among Christians.
The Roman Catholic Church holds the idea of transubstantiation, which teaches that the bread and the wine actually become the body and blood of Jesus. In their mass, they basically kill Jesus all over again. Jesus died once. Jesus paid our sin debt once. ONCE was all that was needed and commanded and demanded by Almighty God and Jesus Christ WILLINGLY paid the price ONCE for all.
It is a blaspheme, & to me it is an obscenity that the Roman Catholic church DARES...DARES to teach that once was not enough. That Jesus was NOT enough, but that The Pope and Roman Catholic dogma, tenets, and beliefs TEACH AND BELIEVE that Jesus must CONSTANTLY be killed and die and pay our sin debt over and over again.
Martin Luther held the idea of consubstantiation, which teaches the bread remains bread and the wine remains wine, but by faith they are the same as Jesus’ actual body. Luther did not believe in the Roman Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation, but he did not go far from it.
iii. John Calvin taught that Jesus’ presence in the bread and wine is real, but only spiritual, not physical. Zwingli taught that the bread and wine are significant symbols that represent the body and blood of Jesus. When the Swiss Reformers debated the issue with Martin Luther at Marburg, there was a huge contention. Luther insisted on some kind of physical presence because Jesus said, “this is My body.” He insisted over and over again, writing it on the velvet of the table, Hoc est corpus meum – “this is My body” in Latin. Zwingli replied, “Jesus also said I am the vine,” and “I am the door,” but we understand what He was saying. Luther replied, “I don’t know, but if Christ told me to eat dung I would do it knowing that it was good for me.” Luther was so strong on this because he saw it as an issue of believing Christ’s words; and because he thought Zwingli was compromising, he said he was of another spirit (andere geist). Ironically, Luther later read Calvin’s writings on the Lord’s Supper (which were essentially the same as Zwingli’s) and seemed to agree with, or at least accept Calvin’s views.
Scripturally, we can understand that the bread and the cup are not mere symbols, but they are powerful pictures to partake of, to enter into, as we see the Lord’s Table as the NEW Passover.
The Lord's Supper we partake in is to HONOR JESUS SACRIFICE AND TO REMEMBER ALWAYS WHAT OUR JESUS DID FOR US. HE HIMSELF ALONE DID FOR ALL MANKIND WHO BELIEVES.
Take, eat: Beyond the debate over what the bread and the cup mean, we must remember what Jesus said to dowith them. We must take and eat.
SPURGEON adds, "Take means that it won’t be forced upon anyone. One must actually receive it. “I anticipate that someone will say, ‘Am I then to have Jesus Christ by only taking him?’ Just so. Dost thou need a Savior? There he is; take him…Take him in; take him in; that is all that thou hast to do.”
Eat means that this is absolutely vital for everyone. Without food and drink, no one can live. Without Jesus, we perish. It also means that we must take Jesus into our innermost being. Everyone must also eat for themselves; no one else can do it for them.
He gave thanks...
In the ancient Greek language, thanks is the word eucharist. This is why the commemoration of the Lord’s Table is sometimes called the Eucharist.
This tells us something of our own receiving of the Lord’s Supper.
THE LORD'S SUPPER IS TO REMIND US OF JESUS AND TO ALWAYS GIVE THANKS. WE NEED TO CONSTANTLY THANK JESUS FOR HIS SACRIFICE FOR US. THAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LORD' SUPPER. IT IS TH NEW PASSOVER AND IT IS FOCUSED ON THANKS TO JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR US. JUST JESUS.
Until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom...
Jesus looked forward to a future celebration of the Passover in heaven, WITH ALL OF US WHO LOVE HIM. UNTIL THAT DAY, WE THANK AND CELEBRATE JESUS AT THE LORD'S SUPPER, KNOWING THAT ONE DAY, WE WILL SHARE THE LORD'S SUPPER WITH JESUS IN HEAVEN.
JESUS has not yet celebrated IT with His people. He is waiting for all His people to be gathered to Him, and then there will be a great supper – the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9). This is the fulfillment in My Father’s kingdom that Jesus longed for.
Verse 30 tells us Jesus sings with His disciples and goes out to the Mount of Olives.
"And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives."
When they had sung a hymn...
We don’t often think of Jesus singing, but He did. He lifted His voice in adoration and worship to God the Father. We can endlessly wonder what His voice sounded like, but we know for certain that He sang with more than His voice, and He lifted His whole heart up in praise. This reminds us that God wants to be praised with singing.
It is remarkable that Jesus could sing on this night before His crucifixion.
Could we sing in such circumstances?
Jesus can truly be our worship leader. We should sing to God our Father – just as Jesus did – because this is something that pleases Him; and when we love someone, we want to do the things that please them. It really doesn’t matter if it does or doesn’t please us.
Sung a hymn...
It is wonderful that Jesus sang, but what did He sing? A Passover meal always ended with singing three Psalms known as the Hallel, Psalms 116-118. Think of how the words of these Psalms would have ministered to Jesus as He sang them on the night before His crucifixion:
· The pains of death surrounded me, and the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me; I found trouble and sorrow. Then I called upon the name of the Lord: “O Lord, I implore You, deliver my soul!” (Psalm 116:3-4)
· For You have delivered my soul from death, My eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living. (Psalm 116:8-9)
· I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord now in the presence of all His people. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. (Psalm 116:13-15)
· Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples! (Psalm 117:1)
· You pushed me violently, that I might fall, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation. (Psalm 118:13-14)
· I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. The Lord has chastened me severely, but He has not given me over to death. Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go through them, and I will praise the Lord. (Psalm 118:17-19)
· The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes. (Psalm 118:22-23)
· God is the Lord, and He has given us light; bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I will praise You; You are my God, I will exalt You. (Psalm 118:27-28)
Verses 31-35 tells us Jesus predicts the desertion of the disciples.
"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."
All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night...
Jesus said this not to condemn His disciples, but to show them that He really was in command of the situation, and to demonstrate that the Scriptures regarding the suffering of the Messiah must be fulfilled.
After I have been raised...
Jesus already was looking BEYOND the cross. His eyes were set on the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2).
Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!
Peter was tragically unaware of both the spiritual reality and the spiritual battle that Jesus clearly saw. Peter felt brave at the moment and had no perception beyond the moment. Soon, Peter would be intimidated before a humble servant girl, and before her Peter would deny that he even knew Jesus.
Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times...
Jesus knew that Peter would fail in what he thought was his strong area – courage and boldness. Through this solemn warning Jesus gave Peter an opportunity to take heed and consider his own weakness.
Jesus said it so clearly to Peter. “Peter, you will be made to stumble. You will forsake Me, your Master. You will do it this very night – before the rooster crows. You will deny that you have any association with Me, or even know Me. And you won’t only do it once; you will do it three times.”
It was an opportunity that Peter did not use. Instead he said, “If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” Jesus knew Peter far better than Peter did, and in over-estimating himself, Peter was ready for a fall.
DID YOU KNOW...
Apparently it was usual for roosters in Palestine to crow about 12:30, 1:30, and 2:30 a.m.; so the Romans gave the term ‘****-crow’ to the watch from 12:00 to 3:00 a.m.
Verses 36-39 tells us Jesus’ prayer in deep distress.
"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.”
Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane...
This is just east of the temple mount area in Jerusalem, across the ravine of the Brook Kidron, and on the lower slopes of the Mount of Olives. Surrounded by ancient olive trees, Gethsemane means “olive press.” There, olives from the neighborhood were crushed for their oil. So too, the Son of God would be crushed here.
He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed...
Jesus was disturbed; in part from knowing the physical horror waiting for Him at the cross. As He came to Gethsemane from central Jerusalem, He crossed the Brook Kidron, and saw in the full moon of Passover the stream flowing red with sacrificial blood from the temple.
My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death...
But more so, Jesus was distressed at the spiritual horror waiting for Him on the cross. Jesus would stand in the place of guilty sinners and receive all the spiritual punishment and the full wrath of a Holy and Mighty God that sinners deserve; He who knew no sin would be sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Jesus did not die as a martyr. “Jesus went to his death knowing that it was his Father’s will that he face death completely alone (Matthew 27:46) as the sacrificial, wrath-averting Passover Lamb. As his death was unique, so also his anguish; and our best response to it is hushed worship.
Yet in this hour of special agony, God the Father sent special help to His Son. Luke 22:43 says that angels came and ministered to Jesus in the garden.
If it is possible...
Of course, there is a sense in which ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE with God (Matthew 19:26). Yet this is true only in a sense, because there ARE THINGS THAT ARE MORALLY IMPOSSIBLE for God.
1. It is impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18)
2. And impossible to please Him without faith (Hebrews 11:6).
3. It was not morally possible for God to atone for sin and redeem lost humanity apart from the perfect, wrath-satisfying sacrifice that Jesus prepared Himself for in Gethsemane.
If it is possible, let this cup pass from Me...
God the Father would NEVER deny the Son ANY request, because Jesus prayed according to the heart and will of the Father.
Outrageously enough, did you know that there are those "so called Biblical/Religious scholars", who point to this scripture and say SEE Jesus was NOT ALMIGHTY God. Jesus was just a mortal human man. Jesus, they say, did not want to do it, and was looking for a wait out of it.
What we KNOW about the Bible is that it was written FOR US. OUR TRIUNE GOD did not need a journal, a recording, a step by step game plan laid out, much less an encouragement.
JESUS PRAYED THIS OPENLY BEFORE THE DISCIPLES AND HAD THEM RECORD IT SO THAT WE WOULD KNOW AND REALIZE HOW DARK, DEEP, DESTRUCTIVE AND HELL BOUND WE ALL WERE. JUST AS THERE ARE NOT MANY PATHS TO GOD. THERE IS BUT ONE PATH TO GOD AND THAT IS THROUGH JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF.
THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO SALVATION FOR LOST, SIN-INFESTED REJECTING ARROGANT MANKIND. JESUS IS THE ONLY PATH TO SALVATION. JESUS HAD TO DIE ONCE FOR ALL, SO THAT ALL DO NOT HAVE TO PERISH AND SPEND ETERNITY IN THE LAKE OF FIRE.
JESUS SAID THESE WORDS SO THAT WE WOULD KNOW THERE WAS, IS, AND NEVER SHALL BE ANY OTHER WAY TO SALVATION EXCEPT FOR JESUS CHRIST AND THE CROSS.
Since Jesus drank the cup of judgment at the cross, we know that it is not possible for salvation to come any other way. Salvation by the work of Jesus at the cross is the only possible way; if there is any other way to be made right before God, then Jesus died an unnecessary death.
SO ALMIGHTY GOD TELLS US THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO SAVE AND REDEEM LOST MANKIND...JESUS HAD TO WILLINGLY CHOOSE TO GO TO THE CROSS.