Matthew 26 - Part 2

Following on from my post on Matthew 26: 1-30:

Jesus predicts Peter's denial.
On the way to the garden, after finishing their passover meal (The Last Supper) Jesus tells the disciples "This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:
'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'
But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee." To which Peter denies. As with all of Jesus' prophesies, this one too comes to pass in spite of Peter's denial.

Jesus and the Disciples get to Gethsemane.
This passage has three points of note.
1) Here Jesus demonstrates the ultimate submission to His Father. Repeating the prayer "Not my will but yours..." Even into death, the horrible death Jesus knows is comming He submits in the perfect example of submission to the Will and Glory of the Father.
2) The disciples fail Jesus in His time of need. They fall asleep repeatedly when He asked them to keep watch in support of HIm. Even those closest to Jesus fell short of His request. This should encourage us in our failings, Jesus does not abandon or forsake them. He continues to encourage them and it is to these men He reveals Himself physically, after the reasurection.
3) Jesus was praying privately. This is an important example for a couple of reasons. Firstly it demonstrates clearly that there is a personal distinction between Jesus and the Father. (Hinting at the Trinity) This is not like the Lord's Prayer which was an exaple of prayer, this is actually Jesus praying to His Father. Also it demonstrates private prayer. Prayer should be private and personal, in worship and submission to God, not solely a corporate or public display. This does not mean never pray corporately, but just don't let that be the only time we pray.

We should be reminded that Jesus knew exactly what was happening, and in fact was in control of the whole situation.

Jesus betrayed and arrested.
One symbol of just how much of a perversion it is to turn ones back on Christ is the fact that He was betrayed with a kiss. A kiss is a sign of affection, loyalty, friendship, love, tenderness, care, protection, kindness, a greeting etc. A kiss should NEVER be about betrayal or abandonment.

Twice Jesus comments that His arrest is so that the "...Scriptures be fulfilled..." and "...that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled." Reminding us that His betrayal, arrest, and sacrifice was all strictly according to His plan of salvation.

Jesus' trail with the Sanhedrin.
Many aspects about Jesus' trial is also very significant of the symbolism of the extent at which the Jewish nation had turned away from their Lord. Jesus was taken in the middle of the night to the home of Caiaphas for questioning. After Jesus' first does not answer to the testimony of false witness and the responds to their questions as to whether or not he claimed to be the Messiah, the scribes and priests hit Jesus in the face and spit on him in disgust.

This trial is outside Jewish law for several reasons:
1. It was illegal for the Sanhedrin to meet outside of the designated Chamber of Hewn Stone in the Temple, yet they met in Caiaphas' home.
2. The Sanhedrin had an express rule that it could not meet at night because justice must be carried out in the light of day, yet Jesus was tried at night.
3. The Sanhedrin, by law, was not allowed to originate charges. However, Jesus was first arrested, and then witnesses were looked for.
4. Jewish law says: "If a sentence of death is to be pronounced, it [a criminal case] cannot be concluded before the following day" (Mishna, "Sanhedrin" IV, 1). This was to allow sufficient opportunity for any witnesses in support of the accused to present themselves. However, Jesus' trial was conducted in private and completed in less than one day.
5. The merits of Jesus' defense were not considered. Deuteronomy 13:14 says "then you must inquire, probe and investigate it thoroughly. And if it is true and it has been proved..." yet, the court pronounced sentence instantly.

When taken before Pilate Jesus' crimes were switched the charges from blasphemy to treason before Pilate. Jesus' opponents wanted Him killed, but they did not want to do it themselves. So they charged Him with treason, a Roman crime, so the Romans would be responsible for His death. Again no evidence was presented (John 18:29-30). Pilate, after a brief interview, saw that Jesus was not guilty (John 18:38 & Matthew 27:18). Fearing the crowd, however, he allowed the crucifixion of an innocent man. Pilate did not even pronounce Jesus guilty; he merely turned Jesus over to the soldiers

Jesus not once admitted to any of the false charges brought before Him. He did not admit to blasphemy. Jesus only agreed and admitted the truth, that He IS the Messiah and that He IS the Son of God.

Peter's denial of Jesus.
Peter's denial of Jesus is one of the most famous scenes of Christianity. This should be an enormous encouragement for Christians of the faithfulness of Jesus in spite of our failings. Peter was one of Jesus closest friends and followers, one of the twelve and yet Peter betrayed Jesus. Christ's response (after Peter breaks down in repentance) is to take this simple man (an unlettered fisherman) and use him mightily in the early stages of the formation of the Christian church after Jesus' death and resurrection. Peter was a missionary to many lands and was used powerfully to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the early Christian world.

Just as Peter betrayed Jesus, repented and was then used for Jesus' glory so too can we be used in spite of our failings if we will repent and continually turn back to Jesus.

For more about the encouragement we can receive from and some great insight into the life and ministry of Peter (and a challenge to step even further) click on the following links.

Desiring to be Peter when the world needs Paul
Desiring to be Peter...