The Action Before the Upper Room.
Notes
Transcript
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.”
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.”
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 thirty pieces of silver.
So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.
INTRO:
INTRO:
AG:
TS: Wednesday of holy week is a silent day. Scriptures do not record any details of that day. So today, we will return to Day 2, latter in the day after the Olivet discourse.
Jesus discussed His death burial and resurrection. This isn’t the first time. He had discussed this with His disciples and with Moses and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration. He wanted them prepared for it.
RS: We need to be reminded of it as well. This is simultaionously the heart of the gospel and stumbling block to many people. Some “red letter Christians” seem to miss the many times Jesus predicted His resurrection. Everything about these event was part of God’s perfect plan to accomplish salvation and defeat death!
I. The prediction (26:1–2):
I. The prediction (26:1–2):
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.”
Once again Jesus predicts his betrayal and crucifixion.
This is now the fourth time Matthew records Jesus predicting His death.
From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.
He BEGAN to show
This implies it was discussed periodically
Probably more than just the 4 times recorded by Matthew
Events:
Scene: Jerusalem
Enemy: elders and chief priests
What: suffer many things and be killed
Victory: Be raised the 3rd day
Now while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men,
and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up.” And they were exceedingly sorrowful.
This passage added that He would be betrayed
Judas’ betrayal, while not named, was foretold
Jesus was not wrong to choose Judas, since such betrayal was a necessary part of the divine plan for the Messiah.
David G. Peterson
Then I said to them, “If it is agreeable to you, give me my wages; and if not, refrain.” So they weighed out for my wages thirty pieces of silver.
And the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—that princely price they set on me. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the Lord for the potter.
This is a stunning text; indeed, it is a powerful example of the minute details that characterize the prophetic literature of the Bible. Zechariah, speaking on behalf of the promised Messiah, makes the following points.
Haggling over the price, that it would be 30 pieces of silver, that ultimately it would be returned, and end up with the potter,
Zechariah’s prophecy is shown to be most remarkable. It constitutes a collection of amazing details presented more than five centuries before the birth of Jesus Christ. It stands tall as an amazing example of the divine origin of the Scriptures.
Now Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside on the road and said to them,
“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death,
and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again.”
Details added:
handed over to Gentiles (Rome)
mocking
scourging
crucifying
Jesus foretold all of these things to His disciples. They should have known what was coming and prepared.
AP: We must pay attention to Jesus’ warnings
Numerous warnings were given by Jesus.
Examples:
Sin, The Devil, being materialistic, false christs, Persecution, etc.
He didn’t want things to surprise us
We would be wise to pay attention to them!
Be prepared for what is coming
Forewarned is Forearmed
A common English phrase with roots in a well known Latin Proverb
Jesus forewarns us, so we shouldn’t be shocked.
a. be Saved
b. Determine to live His way
no matter the attack or trouble, stand upon the Rock!
Stay strong brothers and sisters
II. The plots (26:3–5, 14–16):
II. The plots (26:3–5, 14–16):
On two occasions wicked plans are made to kill Jesus.
1. The plot by Caiaphas (26:3–5):
1. The plot by Caiaphas (26:3–5):
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.”
Jewish leaders meet at the palace of this high priest to discuss ways to murder the Savior!
They solidified their rejection of the Messiah and determined to bring about His demise.
Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, “What shall we do? For this Man works many signs.
If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.”
And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all,
nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.”
Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation,
and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.
Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death.
John adds more motive and background:
Caiphas feared Roman reprisal if Jesus kept pushing things
Hold up!!!
They would only accept Messiah as Messiah AFTER He re-established an Earthly Kingdom
Yet they won’t even let Jesus do that!
Though Caiphas meant it in a wrong way, His words are true:
“one man should die for the people”
2. The plot by Judas (26:14–16):
2. The plot by Judas (26:14–16):
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.
He agrees with Jesus’ enemies to betray the Messiah for thirty pieces of silver.
One of the 12
How ironic that one who should be close to Jesus and standing with Him is His betrayer
The agreed upon wage (if in Temple shekels) then the silver was equivalent to 120 days of labor.
Also, the price of a slave: Ex 21:32
If the ox gores a male or female servant, he shall give to their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.
The King of Kings was valued as a slave!
The gospels give us no explanation to Judas’ motive
Many have speculated, but we can’t say for sure
Guesses range from greed for more money to a vain attempt to spark off the rebellion against Rome when Jesus and His followers defend themselves.
Regardless of motive, Judas betrayed Jesus and sinned greatly against Him.
AP: Guard against betrayal
Never think you are good and above betraying Jesus.
Stay on guard.
Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.
We must be careful to obey Christ and not fall into sins
Stay in the word
Remain in prayer
Make wise choices
Men are free to decide their own moral choices, but they are also under the necessity to account to God for those choices.
A. W. Tozer
We must guard against betrayal
III. The preparation (26:6–13):
III. The preparation (26:6–13):
Jesus is anointed by a woman at Bethany.
1. The dedication (26:6–7):
1. The dedication (26:6–7):
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.
A woman pours a very expensive alabaster jar of perfume over his head.
The gospel of Mark puts a value upon it:
For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they criticized her sharply.
That is more than a year’s wages!
Myrrh is the main fragrant ingredient
2. The denunciation (26:8–9):
2. The denunciation (26:8–9):
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.”
The disciples , led by Judas, criticize her for not selling the perfume and giving the proceeds to the poor.
But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said,
“Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”
This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.
3. The defense (26:10–13):
3. The defense (26:10–13):
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.”
First Jesus dealt with priorities:
There will always be poor in need of ministry
There was only 1 opportunity to prepare His body
Next, Jesus dealt with preparation
Jesus defends the woman, referring to two aspects:
a. The preparation aspect (26:10–12):
She did this to prepare his body for burial.
MacArthur Study Bible NASB (Commentary)
This does not necessarily mean that Mary was consciously aware of the significance of her act. It is doubtful that she knew of His approaching death, or at least how close it was.
But this was an act of pure worship, her heart having been moved by God to perform a sacrificial and symbolic act, the full significance of which she probably did not know.
b. The prophetic aspect (26:13):
Her act will be remembered wherever the gospel is preached!
The fact that this event in in the gospels (multiple times) fulfills Jesus’ prediction.
AP: Worship Him
She worshiped Christ even while drawing criticisms from those gathered there.
She had affections and eyes only for Jesus
Worship was and always will be about HIM!
He chose you for worship, which I define as the proclamation of his excellencies and your extravagantly affectionate and inexpressibly joyful delight in them.
Sam Storms
Proclaim His Excellencies
God is amazing!
Declare all He is (attributes) and all He has done (actions)
Look to Psalms as an example!
Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament!
Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!
Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp!
Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!
Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals!
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Be extravagantly affectionate
Worship should flow from a heart full of love for God
Loving God is how we really learn to love others.
When I have learnt to love God better than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now.
C. S. Lewis
God must be our number #1 love and priority
More than husband or wife, more than our parents or our children, and definitely more than ourselves.
Have inexpressible joy
The joy of the Lord should be apparent in our worship
This is our response to God!
We are full of joy
You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Give your all:
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Conclusion: [1]
Conclusion: [1]
We know and proclaim the gospel to this day.
There are many still who plot against the cause of Christ.
We should be extravagant in our worship. In fact, we should give him ALL.
[1] H. L. Willmington, The Outline Bible(Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1999), Mt 26.