Matthew 26

Matthew 26:47-75

Today’s passage contains three sections of scriptures that we are diving into briefly today:

Today’s Passage

Jesus Arrested

Jesus’s Trial before the Sanhedrin

Peter’s Trial

Last Week

Last week, Jude brilliantly covered the first half of Matthew 26 that includes the Last Supper, Judas leaving to betray Christ and Christ’s prediction that the disciples would fall away. Jesus then leads his remaining disciples into the garden of Gethsemane to pray for strength but because it is late at night, they keep falling a sleep. Our story today will cover the latter half and picks up in the garden with Christ praying alone and returns to the disciples after accepting the cup his father has given him. He awakens the sleeping disciples and informs them that his betrayer has arrived.

Please welcome ____________ to read today’s passage.

Jesus Arrested

Judas arrives in the Garden, leading a large crowd who are armed with swords and clubs. And then using a kiss as a signal, a common greeting among friends, he betrays Christ by informing them which one they were to arrest. Being that Jesus and the disciples were from Galilee and it was late at night, perhaps it was difficult for them to know which one was Jesus. As soon as one of mob seizes Jesus, Peter cuts off the man’s ear:

Matthew 26:51 NIV

With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

John Gospel informs us that it was indeed Peter who had cut off the ear Malchus, the high priest’s servant.

Jesus commands Peter to put his sword back and then according to Luke’s gospel, Jesus touched the ear and healed the servant. Then Jesus rebukes Peter and says, Am I not to partake in the Cup my father is giving us.

This leads us to our first Point.

#1. Do not forget who your God is!

The disciples had traveled with Christ. They had seen his miracles firsthand including raising the dead, walking on water, calming the storms. They were even aware of when the kind folks from Jesus hometown of Nazareth attempted to cast Jesus off a cliff and he walked right through them. They had even heard of the time when the kind people of Nazareth were angry with him and attempted to walk him off a cliff but Jesus just walked straight through them.

But now Peter, the Rock, who famously declared that Jesus was the Messiah, the son of the living God, believes that Jesus needed defending.

Interestingly, we find a parallel of this mindset (that God needs our help) in the Old Testament when the people of God forgot who he was and dishonored his commands for how to transport the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark of the Covenant not only kept the Ten Commandments, it functioned as a way for Yahweh’s presence to be with the Israelites. King David was having the Ark moved to Jerusalem and instead of following the instructions given by God on how to transport the Ark, they used a new cart. And that’s where we pick up in 2 Samuel:

Then we read in 2 Samuel:

2 Samuel 6:6–7 NIV

When they came to the threshing floor of Nakon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled. The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down, and he died there beside the ark of God.

This passage is difficult to undersand. Uzzah was just trying to help. In fact, it may have been a kneejerk reaction where he instinctively reached out to steady the ark. However, his death could have been prevented had they not disregarded the sacred things of God and had obeyed his word. This passage is a warning that we not treat the sacred things of God as ordinary.

My dad retired from General Motors as an electrician where he worked assembling large factory machines. In these enormous factory buildings, he wasn’t working on the same level of voltage and amperage that we have running through our homes. It was high voltage electricity and even with all their training, these electricians had to constantly respect the power running through those lines. My dad tells the story of his best friend who was large man working with a partner on an install. His man’s partner thought he had shut off all the feeds coming into the electrical junctions in the floor. My dad’s friend reached in to work on it and one of the lines was still live and the moment he touched that live, high voltage line, electricity surged through his friend’s enormous 250 pound frame and shot him straight back. Fortunately, he survived the occasion but learned a valuable lesson to always test that the electricity was before touching.

C.S. Lewis captures this paradigm in his Narnia story when Lucy asks about Aslan, the lion, inquiring if he is safe. The beautiful response given to her is , “Course he isn't safe, but he is good. He is not a tame lion.” Jesus is not a tame, weak lion in need of our rescue. He didn’t need Peter to rescue him from the Mob.

Matthew 26:53 NIV

Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?

A legion was up to 6,000 soldiers. So more than twelve legions would be more than 72,000 angels! I think that would suffice against the large crowd that had come of probably 100 to 200 people.

In his book Divine Romance, Gene Edwards writes a behind the scenes novel, in which he beautifully gives us a glimpse into the spiritual realm and reveals the angels’ response during the crucifixion of Christ:

“…the whole host hurled itself into time, there to fill every roof, hill and mountain around Jerusalem. Ten thousand times ten thousand swords were drawn by outraged and weeping angels. Every sinew in them strained, waiting for a command-any command- that would allow them to unleash vengeance upon that hill.”

Clearly, Jesus didn’t need Peter’s help. All Jesus need to do was whisper a statement and the angels surrounding him would have leapt to his defense.

So, it is important for us in our knowledge of God to never become so familiar with the lovingkindness of God that we lose our understanding of his holiness and righteousness.

We may think that we don’t relate to this situation at all. But I believe we do find ourselves in this situation whenever we worry or doubt God’s goodness. Even though I know God to be faithful, there are times when I forget the faithfulness of God, and then some situation comes along and worry, fear and anxiety set in. A.W. Tozer writes about this.

God being who He is, cannot cease to be what He is, and being what He is, He cannot act out of character with Himself. He is at once faithful and immutable, so all His words and acts must be and remain faithful. - A.W. Tozer - Attributes of God

When we worry or become anxious, we are like Peter who has forgotten who God is. I speak this as a rebuke to myself. How often have I become worried or anxious about my finances, my health, my family, my job, where this country is headed, or other things? When I do this, I am demonstrating to myself that I have forgotten who my God is and his faithfulness to me. This is why the psalmist reminds us to:

Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

It is in the stillness that we remind ourselves of who God is, that he is greater than our problems and greater than our weaknesses.

#2: Be Resolute in Doing God’s Will

Next, let’s look at how Jesus was resolute in doing the Father’s will. . He became resolute because he wrestled with his will in the garden. Twice in Matthew we read how Jesus prayed to have the cup removed and each time he would finish by saying, not my will but yours be done.

Matthew 26:39 NIV

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

Matthew 26:42 NIV

He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

Because he surrendered his will in the place of prayer, he has became resolute to drinking the cup and doing the will of his father. So, when Peter lunges out with his sword, striking the servants ear, Christ sees this as an afront to prevent him from taking of the cup his father had for him:

John 18:11 NIV

Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”

So what was the cup given to Christ?

John The Baptist, the prophet who was sent ahead to prepare the way of the messiah,identified and prophesied about that cup when he said,

John 1:29 NIV

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

The cup the father had given was for Jesus to be the lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world. Jesus accepted this cup from the father and was fully resolved to fulfill it and nothing, not even his closest friends would prevent him from fulfilling his mission.

Men, be resolute men, ready and willing to do God’s will.

This message is for all of us, I want to challenge men for a moment. I have heard it said that it appears men struggle more often with their spirituality then women. Often you will hear a man say that his wife is more spiritual, that it is easier for her pray, for her to read her bible, have quiet times and worship. That it comes more natural for her. I’m not certain if it does or doesn’t but I know personally, there have been many times in which God has challenged me to be deliberate and intentional in my faith and this includes the practicing of spiritual disciplines like reading my bible, praying, and worship. That I need to lead in my home by being a spiritual example.

After Moses had died, Joshua took over and we see a time in which he challenges the Israelites:

Joshua 24:15 NIV

But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Joshua was resolute in serving the lord. Fathers and Mothers, be resolute in your serving the Lord in your home. Lead by example. Protect what your family watches and what is allowed into your home. Practice your faith openly before your children, let them not just see the rules but the love that you have for God.

Before the Sanhedrin

After Jesus has been arrested he is now taken to the High Priest and the Sanhedrin to stand trial.

What is the Sanhedrin?

The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary (Sanhedrin)

The sanhedrin: the high priests’ political council, the highest legislative body in Jewish Palestine, the supreme judicial court, the grand jury for important cases, the council of the Pharisaic school, and the final court of appeals...

The Sanhedrin was made up of 71 people including the High Priest, Priests, and Elders. Though they were a judicial body, the lacked power to carry out any execution because of Roman rule. They had limited power and could only make recommendations to the Roman governors for execution but legally, could not carry out an execution on their own.

In their rush to pronounce judgment on Christ, the Sanhedrin actually broke five of their own rules for how trials must be held:

Must be held during the day time

Must take place in one of three specified courtrooms

Must begin by hearing the case for the defense

Must not reach a conviction on the same day as the trial began

Must not be held on the eve of a festival or of the Sabbath

#3. Understanding The Importance of The Son of Man?

So, one-by-one they parade false witnesses before the sanhedrin who make wild claims or take Jesus’ statements out of context and ironically, nothing really seems to be sticking. Then the High Priest becomes impatient and takes over the deliberations by cutting to the chase and asking Jesus directly:

Matthew 26:63 NIV

But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

Jesus’ answer is very fascinating. Look at how Christ specifically answers him:

Matthew 26:64 NIV

“You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

There are several interesting things happening in the passage.

“You have said so.” Jesus uses this method on several occasions to respond to his questioners. It was most likely used to draw attention to the questioner’s own words, indicating that while correct, it is not phrased as how Jesus would have phrased it. The idea of the Messiah in Jesus’ day was one who would conquer and drive out the Romans. So, Jesus is saying yes, he is the Messiah, the Son of God but is going to expand on that in just a moment.

“You will see.” This is an interesting exchange. Jesus is being judged by Caiaphas the high priest. However, the Book of Hebrews calls Jesus the Great High Priest:

Hebrews 4:14 NIV

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.

Jesus was the very model of what a High Priest should do. Every High Priest prior to Jesus was a foreshadowing of the Great High priest. The purpose of the High Priest was to represent God to the people and to make atonement for their sin. Now, standing before Caiaphas was the great High Priest and Jesus tells Caiaphas that he, himself will see Christ sitting next to God:

Matthew 26:64 NIV

“You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

3. The Son of Man. Another fascinating point is that the High Priest asks Jesus if he is the Messiah, the Son of God. But Jesus answers, calling himself instead the Son of Man. So, why would there be such outrage from the High Priest over Jesus calling himself a Son of man?

When I think of all the titles that Jesus held, the title Son of Man doesn’t immediately jump out. He was the:

Son of God

Lion of Judah

The Rock

Emanuel

Savior of the World

Light of the World

Bread of Life

Prince of Peace

Lord of Lords

King of Kings

So many titles and yet more than any other title that he referred to himself with, Son of Man was by far the most frequent. To understand its significance, we have to go to a vision that Daniel had regarding the throne of God in heaven. He wrote in Daniel 7:9-10

“As I looked, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.

Daniel 7:13–14 NIV

“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Jesus is given this title of Son of Man because he is taking up the cup the Father had given him and as his reward for his sufferings, he would be given all authority, glory and power; and that all nations and peoples would worship him.

Then Jesus tells Caiaphas that he would see him sitting on the Throne next to God. Then...

Matthew 26:65 NIV

Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.

The tearing of the clothes was a common practice in the Sanhedrin as a way of pronouncing judgment against Blasphemy and a way of visually disassociating the actions or statements of the accused from those casting judgment. It was stating that the accused would be torn away from the community.

Peter On Trial

Three Accusations / Three Denials

Matthew 26:69–70 NIV

Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said. But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

Peter has access to the High Priest’s home through John. John is elsewhere while Peter is standing in the courtyard to observe what becomes of Christ. We see quickly that Christ’s prediction that he would deny him will come true. A servant girl comes up and confronts him. But he passes her off and says “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Matthew 26:71–72 NIV

Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.” He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”

Feeling uncomfortable with his inquiry, Peter moves away from where he was standing to the gateway. With each accusation we see Peter moves farther away to disassociate himself with Jesus. This time, a different servant girls speaks up and addresses not Peter but a group of people.

And Peter responds with an oath and then says, “I don’t know what your talking about.” Interestingly, John writes that the servant who had asked this was a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off:

John 18:26

John 18:26 NIV

One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?”

Matthew 26:73–74 NIV

After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.” Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed.

Next we see several people around him begin to accuse him, saying that his accent was giving him away. Being from northern Israel, from Galilee, he had a distinct accent that try as he might, he couldn’t hide.

To defend himself, he goes one step further and begins to curse. In fact, some commentaries believe that he cursed Jesus himself and then swore, “I don’t know the man!”

Immediately the rooster crowed and Luke records:

Luke 22:61–62 NIV

The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Could you only imagine how it felt to have the savior look directly at you after denying him three times. Peter is overwhelmed by this and runs away weeping over his actions. This leads us to the fourth and final point of today’s message.

#4. God Still believes in you, even on your worst day

Aren’t we thankful that God doesn’t look at us only on our worst day? Here we have Peter’s greatest failure. Look at the words of Christ in Luke 22:3

Luke 22:31–32 NIV

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

Even knowing that Simon Peter was about to betray him, Jesus still believed in him and prayed for him. When everyone else has given up, Jesus still prayed for Peter.

God doesn’t just look at us and sees only our worst self. He doesn’t see your worst decision or action, your worst day. The world does. When others may have given up on you or your situation, Jesus says to us, “But I have prayed for you.” You may be giving up on yourself, on your marriage, on your child but Jesus say, BUT I HAVE PRAYED. Oh, let us all take comfort from the knowledge that Jesus doesn’t just leave the devil and this world alone to do whatever they wish. the comfort we receive from Jesus’ prayer the disrupts the plans of the devil. God isn’t ignorant of our failures but sees in us the potential and promise of making us into the image of his son. He is still working on you.