55: Preparing to Pour Out His Life

Today we cover some heavy chunk of Scripture, so before we do I thought you might appreciate…

a couple of Dad Jokes. (I’ve used a couple of these before but it’s been a while.)

A friend called me at work the other day and told me he was changing his name to Spinal Column. But I told him I’d have to call him Back.

What did the pirate say on his 80th birthday? AYE MATEY.

Be careful when it’s raining cats and dogs because…you might step in a POODLE.

A friend asked me the other day, “What kind of music do like to listen to when you’re fishing?” I told him, “Something really catchy.”

PRAY

Today we turn the corner in the Gospel of Matthew as we see Jesus Preparing to Pour Out His Life…for His 1st century disciples…and for US.

Catch the Context

Remember that Jesus has been speaking to His disciples from the Mount of Olives, overlooking Jerusalem (Mt 24-25).

Matthew 26:1–2 (NIV) When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, “As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”

There’s a lot of weight packed into this little sentence.

First, Passover is two days away - probably the most important Jewish festival during the ministry of Jesus, thought to bring over 2 million people to Jerusalem, based on estimations by Josephus’. This likely would have been on Tuesday/Wed before the Passover dinner/last supper on Thursday evening.

Second, Jews don’t crucify, only Romans have the authority to do that - so this must mean that Jesus will be handed over the Romans to die one of the most brutal deaths known to man. The term “excruciating” is actually a Latin phrase which means, “out of/from the cross”.

If you’ve read the Gospels or have been involved in our Matthew series (now 55 teachings in), then you probably have some insight regarding WHO is going to hand Jesus over to the Romans.

Enter the antagonists - the bad guys into the storyline.

Matthew 26:3–5 (NIV) Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and they schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. “But not during the festival,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”

The chief priests are those who served in the Temple in Jerusalem - Sadducees. The elders are probably referring to the other men who were part of the Sanhedrin - the ruling political body of the Jewish people.

Caiaphas took over the position of high priest after his father-in-law, Annas, who served in that position (AD 6-15).

By the 1st century, the Romans would appoint the high priest and remove him if he displeased them. So, the high priesthood was very much a political position of power trying to balance pleasing the Roman authority while holding the highest position of Jewish religious leadership.

Caiaphas had been appointed in A.D. 18 by the Roman governor who preceded Pontius Pilate [1] and held that position for 19 years (AD 18-36), longer than any other 1st century high priest, probably because of his political prowess. [2]

These were the same men who have earlier schemed to kill Jesus (Mt 12:14) when He healed a man on the Sabbath and even called Himself, “the Lord of the Sabbath” (Mt 12:8).

So why not just arrest Jesus for blasphemy now and be done with it? They were concerned about a riot among the people during the festival, since many people throughout Israel had become intrigued with Jesus - His teachings & His miracles.

And, do you remember Jesus’ entrance on Palm Sunday? The people were calling Him “the Son of David” - they are calling Him the Messiah! “Hosanna” means “save us!”

If these religious leaders brought the idea of killing Jesus to a vote, their side would have lost.

As we’ve seen before, Jesus would enter Temple in Jerusalem to teach, even one day tossing the tables & throwing out the money changers. Then, He and his disciples would journey out of Jerusalem over the Mount of Olives, and back to Bethany - about 2 miles away.

Now, Matthew backs up a few days in the story to 6 days before the Passover, just before His Palm Sunday entrance into Jerusalem. This same story is told in Jn 12:1-7, where a dinner is given in honor of Jesus.

Rewind: Pouring Perfume 6 Days Before Passover

Matthew 26:6–7 (NIV) While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table [John 12:3 notes she poured on his feet & wiped it with her hair].

Notice the change of scenery highlighted by Matthew’s writing -

from a palace in Jerusalem, a place full of high society leaders

to Bethany - meaning “house of affliction/poor”, in a simple home owned NOT by a high society man, but a leper, a man whom others would have formerly avoided. The context implies that Simon is the artist formerly known as “the Leper”, likely that Jesus had healed him. But we are not given any of those details.

And while Jesus is there, a woman unnamed by Matthew, does something that shocks the disciples, pouring very expensive perfume on the head of Jesus. We DO know who this is, however, as John’s gospel tells us that this is Mary, the sister of Lazarus (Jn 12:3). Of course, there’s another major story that Matthew doesn’t mention - Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead after 4 days of being in a tomb.

Instead of focusing on the glory of Jesus raising Lazarus, Matthew focuses on this precious woman demonstrates an incredible act of humility of pouring out more than perfume, but pouring out her love on her Lord.

But the disciples didn’t see it that way.

Matthew 26:8-9 (NIV) When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”

They were right!

John Mark’s gospel notes that this perfume was worth about a year’s wages - 300 denarii (Mk 14:5). That’s A LOT of money that could have helped a lot of people!

Remember when Jesus fed the 5,000 plus? Phillip thought it would have taken 200 denarii to feed all those people! So, what was in this little jar was worth 300 denarii, and could have fed thousands!

Matthew 26:10–11 (NIV) Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.

Matthew 26:12-13 (NIV) When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

And, sure enough, today, 2,000 years & 6,000 miles removed from when and where this took place, we are still talking about what this woman had done! Jesus considered this, not a wasteful thing, but a beautiful thing - an incredible act of love.

Jesus defends her & Jesus praises her. This woman is an excellent example to the other disciples on what loving Jesus looks like - willing to give up what is costly because Jesus is more valuable to her than anything.

While John’s gospel notes that she poured the perfume on Jesus’ feet (and washing his feet with her hair), Matthew focuses on her pouring the perfume on His head - by the way - that’s what would happen when a KING was anointed - a sign of God’s power & authority resting on him.

But Jesus notes that this is a precious act of anointing His body before death, to prepare Him for His coming death and burial, instead of waiting until time to bury him (when they would normally anoint the body).

Jn 12:4-6 tells us that the leader of the indignant band of disciples was Judas Iscariot - whom John says was the treasurer and thief. He didn’t really care about the poor, but viewed this perfume as a major pay off…for him! In fact, he is about to get paid off - look what Matthew writes next…

Matthew 26:14–16 (NIV) Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

Remember the expensive jar of perfume that Mary poured on Jesus? Now Judas is wiling to accept 1/3 of that amount (30 pieces of silver is about 4 months wages) to betray Jesus. And suddenly, the disciples are aware that there is a traitor among them.

What payment would YOU receive in exchange for giving up being a disciple of Jesus? Many would say, “I wouldn’t give Jesus up for anything”, but…they do.

When we lie, cheat, slander, & steal to get what we want, we exchange THAT for being a disciple of Jesus.

When we give in to sexual sin or abuse drugs or alcohol, we exchange THAT for being a disciple of Jesus.

When we live for the next purchase, the next party, or the next person, when we pursue prestige, when we live primarily to please our family, we exchange THAT for being a disciple of Jesus.

Back to the text - the other apostles of Jesus don’t know about Judas yet. From their perspective, he’s just as committed as any of the other 11. They don’t find out about his betrayal until Jesus gets arrested in a few evenings later in Gethsemane.

Matthew 26:17–19 (NIV) On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’ ” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.

We know, according to John’s gospel, that at sometime during the meal, Jesus demonstrated His servant as He washed His disciples’ feet.

Matthew’s gospel doesn’t mention that. Instead, Matthew is quick to cut to one of the most intense moments in the ministry of Jesus to His disciples.

Notice as we read this - we are told very little about the Passover meal itself. Matthew, writing his gospel for a Jewish audience, puts the spotlight - not on a meal - but on the men. And while there is absolutely no mention of the Passover lamb they were eating, but the Passover Lamb IS the spotlight of this story as He is throughout all 4 Gospels.

Matthew 26:20–22 (NIV) When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?”

Matthew 26:23–24 (NIV) Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

In other words, one of YOU who has participated in this Passover feast with Me, one of YOU who has acted like my friend, is really my enemy.

This betrayal is not a surprise to Jesus, He KNOWS what is coming, and it doesn’t change His plan. In fact, in plays into His plan. He will go just as it is written about Him in the Scriptures - go to give His life as the sacrificial lamb, who takes away the sins of the world.

And if there’s any doubt as to this man’s eternal destination, the words of Jesus are deafening.

Matthew 26:25 (NIV) Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said so.”

Jesus doesn’t say this in a way that the other disciples overhear it. I imagine Jesus leaning into his ear to confirm that he IS the betrayer.

John’s gospel gives much more detail, even that Jesus dipped the piece of bread into the mixture of herbs, hands it to Judas, and as soon as he took the bread Satan entered into him”.

John 13:26b–27 (NIV) Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.”

John 13:28–29 (NIV) But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor.

Judas heads out to tie up loose ends and bring the enemies to Jesus at night, away from the crowds that flocked to Him.

Meanwhile, Jesus concludes the meal by transforming the Passover forever.

Matthew 26:26 (NIV) While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

Of course, many of us understand the imagery, that Jesus’ body would be broken - brutalized and beaten to a bloody pulp.

As God had provided heavenly manna to fill the Jewish stomachs during the exodus from Egypt, now God had provided a heavenly man to fill the greatest need of their souls.

As unleavened bread they ate without yeast symbolized purity & removal of sin from God’s people, the sinless Son of God prepares to remove the sin of God’s people in the 1st century & into our future.

Now this bread becomes a symbol & reminder of His Body, broken for us!

Matthew 26:27–28 (NIV) Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Jesus had talked about what was upcoming, but it never really registered for His apostles. But those who would later see the lifeblood of Jesus spilling from his entire body, would probably never forget the imagery in the upper room and hearing Jesus’ precious voice speak with tears in His eyes - saying, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

Now this cup becomes a symbol & reminder of His Life, poured out for us! Just as the blood of thousands of unblemished animals was shed to atone for human sins, now Jesus becomes the final sacrifice that all the others had been pointing to!

Finally, Jesus closes with these words.

Matthew 26:29 (NIV) I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

Matthew 26:30 (NIV) When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

In order to get to the Mount of Olives, Jesus and His disciples would have had to cross the Kidron Valley, where the blood of over 250,000 sacrificial lambs were flowed into a brook. [3]

Of course, all those substitutes were just shadows of the one the Paul refers to as,

“Christ/Messiah, our Passover Lamb.” (1 Cor 5:7), who would now PRAY and WAIT for His enemies to arrest Him and ultimately sacrifice Him…for US.

What are we to do with what we heard today?

I pray you recognize JESUS as your Passover Lamb who DIED to bring you out of your slavery to sin and into right relationship with GOD - Father, Son, & Spirit! He is your hope for forgiveness and real life,

I hope you participate in the Lord’s Supper with thankfulness, with all of this in mind.

View your daily decisions as opportunities to BE a Disciple of Jesus instead of exchanging His authority and desires for your own authority and desires - that leads to emptiness, shame, regret, & lack of lasting fulfillment.

_____________

Flavius Josephus and William Whiston, The Works of Josephus: Complete and Unabridged (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1987), 749–893.

Craig S. Keener, The Gospel of Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2009), 612.

John F. MacArthur Jr., Matthew, vol. 4, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1985), 140.

Discussion Questions

What stood out to you from today’s teaching - answering questions or stirring up questions for you? Consider looking back through your notes to come up with your own questions or insights.

Read Matthew 26:1-6.

Why did the chief priests and elders plan to arrest Jesus secretly and avoid doing it during the festival)? Reflect on the contrast between the palace in Jerusalem and Simon the Leper’s home in Bethany.

What does this contrast reveal about Jesus' ministry and the people He associated with?

Read Matthew 26:6-13. Discuss the significance of the woman anointing Jesus with expensive perfume. What does her act symbolize, and why did it shock the disciples?

Read Matthew 26:14-16. Explore Judas Iscariot’s decision to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. What motivated him, and how does this compare to the value of the perfume used by the woman? What does this tell you about Judas’ commitment of Jesus versus this woman’s (Mary) commitment to Jesus?

Why would it be foolish to take any payment in exchange for giving up being a disciple of Jesus? Name some things that compete for 1st place in our lives and why they aren’t worth the price of exchanging moments of pleasure for eternity.

Read Matthew 26:26-28. How does Jesus breaking the bread and sharing the cup with His disciples foreshadow His death and its significance for believers? How can participating in the Lord’s Supper deepen our understanding of Jesus’ sacrifice and our relationship with Him, as well as our relationship with one another?

How can viewing our daily decisions as opportunities to be disciples of Jesus influence our choices and actions?

How can we pray for/care for one another this week? (Pray for one another.)