MATTHEW 26 ONE DARK NIGHT The final sermon had been given. Explanation of this kingdom of heaven had been given covering many subjects. Principles, practices and prophecies that related to the disciples - and us had been taught. During the last week the religious leaders of the Jews and members of the Sanhedrin were exposed as to who they were. The Lord Jesus told His disciples again of the imminent betrayal and His death. Now the Jewish leaders took action to have the Lord Jesus Christ killed and no doubt hoped they would again be able to reclaim their position of prestige and authority. We can be sure there will be opposition whenever God is working. The successes of the Gospel invading the world that Satan claims for himself, stirs a resentment in the heart of those who obey not the Gospel. We are told plainly to resist the devil and he will flee. "Draw nigh to God and He will draw night to you." There are people who will want what is right and will be willing to identify themselves with the Lord.
One such person was in Bethany when the Lord Jesus and the disciples were in the house of a man who was healed of leprosy. The alabaster box of ointment has significant meaning. The white alabaster that usually has dark lines through it is a good representation of a believer who, though evidence of sin is in his life at times, has been made righteous and is able to contain within him or her, the precious ointment of worship that is so valuable to the Lord. When such a blessing is given from us to the Lord, it has an effect of all those who are around. The air would have been permeated with the odor of the ointment.
When the disciples called it a waste, the Lord Jesus quickly corrected them by giving insight into what is really important. I must never lose sight of the value of that which is given to God alone. She had heard His words and believed them. She had given her best as a gift from her heart. She didn't have to say a word in order for her appreciation, gratitude and love for the Lord to be seen.
In great contrast to the devotion of the woman with the alabaster box of ointment, was the covetous, basically evil nature of Judas. The woman's cost for a box of ointment to anoint the Savior for His burying was a year's labor. Judas was willing to betray the Lord for thirty pieces of silver. Betrayal of the Savior for personal gain did not cease with Judas. Many would sell the Lord Jesus Christ even today if it would further their personal agendas and bring them financial gain. It happens in religious groups and churches when the emphasis is placed on the ideas of men rather that the Person of Christ.
The Passovers that were kept had the foreshadowing type of Christ in view. Now "Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us." We now keep the feast of remembrance of a finished work and the One in whose body He was bearing our sins on the cross. We have that in emblem in the bread of the Lord's Supper. His life, typified in the cup indicates eternal life has come to us through Christ giving His life for us. So now all Passovers are finished even though Jewish people all over the world still go back to the deliverance from Egypt as a special holiday. Judas had dipped his bread into the same bowl as the Lord Jesus did and then left on his mission of betrayal.
The Lord initiated a new remembrance meal that night of which we partake weekly on the first day of the week. It includes bread as the testament of His body in which He bare our sins. The cup is a reminder of the cost of making peace through the blood of His cross. The testimony of His life given - actually poured out - is a vivid reminder that One has died for our sins. His blood has cleansed us from the sins that separated us from a holy God. It may be that the disciples didn't realized the significance of that new feast at that time. But after the Lord ascended to heaven, they would appreciate the kindness of God in giving them that physical, visible reminder of His Person and His cross-work that has brought "redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins." That night would never be forgotten by those who attended that last Passover and first Lord's Supper. After their voices were silent following the final hymn they sang, the Lord Jesus again told them what was going to happen. Peter boldly proclaimed his allegiance to the Lord and was warned by the Lord how he would respond to the offenses that would come. It is not uncommon for us to be bold when we are in a safe place or setting, but when under pressure to conform to what is going on around us, we fail.
It seemed like there was a difference when the Lord and His disciples got to the Garden of Gethsemane. Anticipating the coming sufferings that were about to begin, the face of the Lord must have reflected the sorrow of soul He had within. The sighs of personal grief were kept as private as possible. He allowed Peter, James and John to see some of that as they moved further into the garden. Then He went further yet, in His position and in His personal prayer with His Father. The humanity of the Savior revealed in that scene helps us who go through times of personal grief and heaviness of heart, to remember our Lord went there before us. He experienced and understands the waves of hurt and need that seem to overwhelm one.
His assurance of the all-hearing and all-knowing Father in His time of trouble assures us that from the loneliness of abandonment to the valley of the shadow of death, He is there. The sleeping disciples wouldn't have known until later all that transpired in that garden. When the Spirit of God directed Matthew to write these words, it must have given him a sense of wonder about all that transpired there while he slept with the other disciples in that very place. We may not realize until much later the significance of a prayer meeting in a place where we have prayed for years with other people. Maybe sometimes we have even slept ourselves. But the Lord is wide awake and involved in intercession with the Father on our behalf. Even when we don't know what to pray, the Holy Spirit is there interceding on our behalf and entering fully into the urgency of our unspoken words.
In the eye of my mind, I could see the Savior rise off the ground and for a last time come to the sleeping disciples to announce to them that coming through the trees was Judas and others. This was the opening scene of the greatest event to ever take place in the world. The deceptive kiss, the powerless soldiers, the great band of people that filled the garden to take one person seems so unreal. Even Peter, probably aiming for a man's head and cutting off his ear, seems so carefully planned. The final public healing of the servant's ear would have been talked about in many conversations that would follow. When Jesus told the whole great group of people that the scriptures foretold this, the disciples fled the scene realizing He truly was going to be taken, and He was not going to restore the nation of Israel at that time. Perhaps Judas too thought the Lord was going to act in power and deliver Himself and the nation from the occupying Roman army and government. He may have thought he would have a place of authority in that kingdom.
We do not know the reason or the outcome of every event that happens in our lives, but we know this much, we owe our loyalty and allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ. His kingdom and authority are supreme. We do have to be subject to those who lead in the nation but only to the extent that our allegiance to our Lord is not compromised. "It is required in stewards that a man be found faithful." Our basic stewardship is to the Lord Himself, His kingdom, His truth and His Word. We have a part to play in the fulfillment of scripture when we obey those truths that are written in them.
Peter's denial is in a way understandable. He felt strong in himself earlier. Now he learns his weakness. His earlier perceived strength was fleshly. Now his weakness is fleshly. As he listened to the exchange of words between the false witnesses, the priest and elders, and then the high priest and Jesus, in fear he denied Him again. He remembered that Jesus had told him exactly what would happen before the rooster would crow in the morning. Any time we think we are strong in ourselves; we are at the weakest point in ourselves and the Lord will bring us down in weakness. His strength through us is made operational and real when we are weak in ourselves and know it. God's grace is often most obvious and real through those we least expect to see accomplishing anything, let alone great things for the Lord.
In that one week and one dark night, much was done that affects us today. The practice of Christian worship was made plain by the gratitude of one woman. It must come from the heart and isn't dependent on our words. Warnings of the consequences of deception and greed was indelibly impressed so greatly that the phrase "30 pieces of silver" is used to describe betrayal even by those who are not Christians. The weekly practice of the Lord's Supper has been carried out since that time and goes on in a similar way all over the world as believers get together to remember the Savior and to proclaim publicly His death for us on the cross. The value and practice of earnest prayer has been exemplified by the Lord for our learning. The dignity of quiet submission was there for everyone to learn from. We may be falsely accused and persecuted, but a few choice words and silence are more appropriate than a loud defense. The same holds true when a fellow believer fails and need to be restored. A simple look and a reminder of the Savior's love, mercy and forgiveness may be what is needed more than a lengthy lecture. As I thought on all of these things I was led to worship, not with a lot of words but with a bowed and humbled heart.
The testimony is there for all to read. Her worship with the alabaster box was worship indeed. No words were needed from her lips to know, That the worship from her heart was not just to show Others how pious and grateful to the Lord she was. She had listened and learned from Him - her gift was because She knew He was going to die and be buried as He said. Her gift was to show Him she believed on Him before He was dead.
The Passover and Lord's Supper in the upper room, Were the reasons why the Lord had His disciples to come To that place so they would learn the Passovers were permanently done. There was a new covenant now based on God's sacrificial Lamb. Bread now was to testify of the Body of Christ. It was the end of the Passovers the Lamb need not die twice. The cup was a reminder of His life that was given. Only those with His eternal life imparted will be in heaven.
The prayers in the garden with strong crying and tears, Touches our hearts when we have our fears. He also knew pain and suffering and grief. Prayers to the Father also gives to us relief - And we are able because of that to face difficult things That arise in our lives - we need the strength and comfort prayer brings. He knows the end of the matter far better than us. Prayer in faith is one way we express our sincere trust.
When failure comes as it so often does, We find ourselves trying to deny the cause Was our desire to escape the testimony of our faith, Because of the unbelievers who are in that place. There will be regrets, often a lot of remorse and tears, When we face the fact that we denied the One whose name we bear. Repentance may be painful with the hot tears of grief - But the Lord's look and acknowledgment of guilt brings to us relief.
"Gracious heavenly Father, this morning I am caught up in the events of this chapter and the impact that a few hours have in all of history. May I never think that any thing that Thou dost allow to happen in my life is of no importance. I do not want to worry about the small things. I just want to do what is Thy mind in them. And when it comes to what I may consider big things, help me to not ever try to act independently of Thee in any way. Please keep me from cutting off someone's ear or denying Thee before others. If and when that happens, please give me the grace and faith to correct that wrong as soon as possible. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."