Introduction

Unfortunately, the loud acclamations of the people of Jerusalem did not remain in Jesus' favour. Their shouts too easily turned from "Hosanna" to "Crucify Him!", in the space of one short week.

What strikes me most this year, as I have been reflecting on the themes of the Easter season, is just how we regard Jesus so poorly, especially given our condition. Who are we to judge or dismiss God, when we dwell in such self-imposed squalor?

I have recalled the words of the Arabic convert, whose testimony we enjoyed just a few weeks ago, when he said (and I paraphrase), "For a human to become God, that is impossible; but for God to become is indeed possible!" If we were to consider seriously for a moment what exactly God did for us in Jesus, and what Jesus was willing to endure on our behalf, I think that, while this may remain a mystery, we would have to concede that it is a glorious mystery!

Let us journey together with Jesus from an incredible betrayal, through an incredible crucifixion, to an incredible hope.

Exegesis

The biblical passage that I would like us to explore this morning is found in The Gospel of Matthew. So follow along as I read the passage Mt 26 14-46:

Read biblical passage aloud from Bible at hand.

In this passage, the overriding theme is betrayal. While we have the benefit of reading this story from a post-Easter perspective; Jesus experienced these events from a human frame of reference, yet having a divine perspective, and betrayal hurts from whichever way you look at it.

Betrayed by Judas

We notice first that Jesus was betrayed by Judas (:14-25). Whatever we might say about Judas, the fact is that he was a disciple of Jesus --- chosen by Jesus in the first place --- and, thus, he was a close friend whose betrayal, whether it was foreseen or not, would have been painful to Jesus.

The Last Supper

The passage then takes us into Jesus' last supper (:26-30). My heart breaks for Jesus when I read this because it must have been an overwhelmingly bittersweet experience for him knowing, as he did, what lay ahead.

Denied by Peter

At least Judas' betrayal had a purpose, however misguided it may have been, whereas Peter's denial was 'a stab in the back' (:31-35) --- pointless and unnecessary in the extreme. I guess that I can appreciate Peter's basic sincerity --- of course, he had no intention of betraying Jesus --- but knowing that Peter did not have the depth of faith to withstand the persection that he would very soon face must have deeply concerned Jesus all the same.

Jesus Prays

Being God, Jesus knew what betrayals were coming (he described these events in advance).  This fact nevertheless made the suffering that much more poignant for him. Thus, our passage ends with Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane (:36-46)

Perhaps I'm reading too much into the passage, but should we be surprised when we read in verse 36 that Jesus asked the disciples to give him some time alone? (:36) He admits that his grief was great; yet even as he prays his disciples cannot stay awake for him! (:38, 40a) This was the time that he needed them! For their sake, he even tried to turn these betrayals into teachable moments. He knew of what suffering he would himself soon endure, yet his disciples could not stay awake for him.

Conclusion

Humanly, why would anyone be willing to accept such suffering?  Luckily for us, Jesus was only partly human.

Both his suffering and Jesus' nature are a mystery to us --- who can explain such behaviour, in the face of such betrayals, other than to recognise divinity in him (cf. 27:54)? --- but what a glorious mystery which leads us both to and through the cross into hope.