Matthew 26 – Jesus’ Coming Crucifixion, Woman Prepares Jesus for Burial, The Beginning of Judas Betrayal, Last Supper, Foretelling Peter’s Denial, Jesus’ Prayer in Gethsemane, Judas Betrays Jesus, Jesus Before Caiaphas & the Council, Peter Denies Jesus

Matthew 26 – Jesus’ Coming Crucifixion, Woman Prepares Jesus for Burial, The Beginning of Judas Betrayal, Last Supper, Foretelling Peter’s Denial, Jesus’ Prayer in Gethsemane, Judas Betrays Jesus, Jesus Before Caiaphas & the Council, Peter Denies Jesus

After 2 days passover is coming and Jesus will be crucified. The chief priests with Caiaphas plotted to kill him. Jesus was at Bethany in Simon the leper’s house. A woman poured expensive ointment on Jesus’ head. The disciples thought it was wasteful, Jesus said it was beautiful she had prepared him for burial. Wherever the gospel is proclaimed this story will be told in memory of her. Judas was paid 30 pieces of silver to betray Jesus. They ate the Passover meal. Jesus said one of them would betray him. Judas asked, “Is it I, Rabbi?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to the disciples, “Take, eat; this is my body.” Jesus took a cup, gave thanks, gave it to them saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” Jesus foretells that Peter will deny Him 3 times before the rooster crows. Jesus told the disciples to sit while Jesus went over there to pray. Jesus became sorrowful and troubled. Jesus fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” The disciples fell asleep. Jesus told them to pray so they wouldn’t enter temptation. Jesus prayed the same thing a second time. The disciples fell asleep again. Jesus prayed the same thing again. Jesus came back saying his betrayer was at hand. Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss. The chief priests, elders, and crowd came up and seized Jesus. One of Jesus’ disciples cut off the ear of the servant of the high priest. Jesus advocated non-violence. Jesus said his arrest was in fulfillment of the Bible, and all the disciples fled. They took Jesus to Caiaphas. Peter was following at a distance. The chief priests and council sought false testimony against Jesus in order to kill him. Jesus remained silent in the face of this. The priest asked Jesus if he was the Christ, Jesus said, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power coming on the clouds of heaven.” He tore his robes accusing blasphemy. The council’s decision was death, the spit in Jesus’ face, struck him, slapped him, and mocked him. Peter denied Jesus 3 times, and immediately the rooster crowed. Peter wept bitterly when he remembered what Jesus said.

Jesus’ body has undergone the preparation for burial, and He is arrested. His suffering in order to save His people has begun, even as people struck him and spit at him. And Jesus is going to die for the people who are doing this to him, and for Peter. God even had people who would come to faith who participated in all these events. Peter should have known. Jesus even foretold that this would happen. May the Lord help us to rightly see our hearts and to carefully heed His warnings. Let’s give thanks to God, that even as Jesus bore the mocking and being tried unjustly, that’s what we deserve.