Matthew – Page 6 – Be Still…

Matthew 26:47-56 – The Kiss

It’s dark. You can probably hear the crickets chirping. It’s peaceful, yet Jesus has just been ripped apart inside as he prepares for what is to come. There are lights in the distance. They are getting closer. You can hear the crunching of the ground under the feet of a mob. It’s a crowd intent on one thing. Jesus’ arrest.

God has used Judas to bring us to this moment. Judas has done a despicable thing. He is the traitor who has given up the Son of God for just 30 lousy pieces of silver. Yet, as he arrives with this throng of people, including religious leaders, Roman soldiers and onlookers (you know, the gawkers), he approaches Jesus, as a friend, with a kiss.

Matthew 26:36-46 – Jesus Prays

Read Matthew 26:36-46

Have you ever fallen asleep while praying? I know I’m not the only one because the disciples did it in today’s reading. I have every good intention of praying through the praises, concerns, joys, requests, and pleas for forgiveness. I’m sure the disciples did, too.

Jesus told the disciples, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” They just didn’t understand. It’s hard to put ourselves in their shoes, much less understand the distress that had overtaken Jesus. What we do see is that Jesus’ response to his anguish was to pray. We can probably think of a time when we were faced with doing something we dreaded. Like in speech class, getting up in front of the class knowing your knees were going to knock and that words would be stumbled over. But Jesus’ dread was so much more than this. So much more.

Matthew 26:31-35 – I’ll Never Desert You

Read Matthew 26:31-35

Prophecy from Zechariah is about to be fulfilled. The Shepherd, Jesus, is about to watch his sheep, the disciples, scatter. In fear for their lives, they will desert their friend. Do you think the disciples were starting to figure out something big was about to happen? I don’t think I would have been able to comprehend the magnitude of the events that are about to unfold.

I love Peter’s response. He was always outspoken and bold. “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.” Little did he know. He had good intentions. Even when Jesus tried to reason with him, Peter refused to listen and believe that he could ever leave Jesus’ side. He was ready to die with Jesus.

Matthew 26:14-30 – The Final Meal

Read Matthew 26:14-30

Today’s reading opens with Judas’ surprising visit to the high priests. How do you picture Judas? Has he always been a bit of an outcast among the disciples? Does he have a sinister look about him? Has he ever really accepted any of Jesus’ teachings? Is he a devout follower merely being used by God to orchestrate the beautiful plan? Is he greedy? Is his need for money greater than his loyalty to a friend? Do we have a little of Judas in us?

We are able to witness Jesus’ final meal with his friends, including Judas. Jesus is fully aware of what has happened and what is to come. What must Jesus be feeling? Has he lost his appetite? Imagine the men all seated around the table celebrating the Passover feast. It has happened before. But tonight is special. They are sitting with their very own Passover Lamb on the eve of his slaughter.

Matthew 26:1-13 – The Plot Thickens

Read Matthew 26:1-13

Jesus has been setting the stage for his departure from this world. Now we see the plotting of the religious leaders begin. It’s what needs to happen so that Jesus can fulfill his role as our Savior King. He needed to sacrifice his life for ours. That could not happen if everyone loved him and his ministry was all sunshine and roses. God orchestrated this so beautifully to coincide with the Passover, a time already recognized as a time to celebrate the lambs who gave their blood to save the people. Jesus is our lamb.

So what about the woman and her perfume? This story is memorialized just as Jesus said it would be. We all look to her extravagance. How do we see it? As a waste? As a tribute? Our answer may speak to our own faithfulness. This story is also told in John 12:2-8. We get more details here and learn this woman was Jesus’ friend, Mary.