Matthew 26

Verses 1-13

• This woman's example, spending wealth to honor Christ, shows us that what you spend to honor and obey God is more important than common charity.

  • Use your time and resources to cultivate your personal relationship with God and to grow His kingdom first! 

    • Serving Christ is not about helping anyone who's poor; it's about doing what helps Christ's name and His kingdom increase.

    • And as Jesus did, remind others not to trouble or criticize someone who wants to use their resources to serve Christ!

 

Verses 14-16

• Jesus was betrayed by Judas, one of the twelve disciples, for a mere amount of silver. 

  • Understand that, like Judas, anyone can be deceived and led astray (even those that seem closest to Jesus), so stay focused (Hebrews 3:13)!

 

Verses 17-25

• Verse 25. Jesus was not afraid to point Judas out among His disciples as the betrayer. 

  • Notice also that He was not afraid to say that it would have been good if Judas had never been born.

    • This reminds us that it's better to not exist at all than to exist and betray the Savior. Serving God and following Christ is all that makes life worth living. Remember this and let it motivate you to put Christ first in everything that you do!

 

Verses 26-30

• When we eat and drink, whether with other believers or not, we should remember how Christ gave His body to death and shed His blood so that we could have a renewed relationship with God and eternal life.

  • Remember, when you eat, that you don't live by food and drink, but you live by the life of Jesus Christ. He alone preserves you. 

    • If you fail to keep in mind that you live by Christ, you will start to trust in natural things for your life, like food. 

    • The Lord's Supper is meant to be a constant reminder of our need for Christ, so that we maintain our trust in Him.

• Verse 29. Notice that, when we join Christ in heaven, we will eat and drink with Christ Himself. Let your joy with food today remind you of the far greater joy you will have with Christ in the future!

• Verse 30. Singing songs in prayer to God is a great thing to do when gathered with believers, and especially during times where there is greater sorrow, as there was with the disciples in knowing that Jesus was soon to die.

  • When with your church, if you notice believers needing joy, use worship songs to help lift spirits and bring needed joy and refreshment.

Verses 31-35

• Even though disciples insisted otherwise, Jesus knew that they were still vulnerable to failure.

• Do not be over-confident in your own devotion to God. Any one of us can fail. Remember that God alone keeps you strong (John 15:5).

 

Verses 36-46

• Especially during times of greater sorrow, praying multiple times is important, to strengthen your mind

  • Verse 39. When you know that you will enter hard times, pray to accept whatever God's will is. Don't complain or demand that things be different.

• Verse 40-41. Understand that prayer keeps you focused and strong against temptation. We remain watchful and protected by remaining in prayer (Colossians 4:2).

  • Unlike the twelve here, never grow tired of praying!

  • Without prayer, we remain in the weaknesses of the flesh. Our flesh will always be weak on its own. If you want to live in the strength of the spirit, stay in prayer!

    • Don't ever think that you're strong enough to stay away from sin if you slack in prayer and the Word for a time. The flesh is too weak for that. You have to be proactive to walk in the Spirit—through the Word and prayer—if you want to maintain strength against the enemy!

 

Verse 47-50

• There was no good reason for Judas to kiss Jesus. He was merely trying to show some final affection to Jesus before betraying Him. This was a foolish action.

  • Understand that no show of affection for Christ will make up for a life lived betraying Him through disobedience.

    • Don't try to publicly show yourself fond of Christ. Be loyal and obedient to Him. That's what matters.

• May it be that Judas kissed Jesus because Psalm 2 says, “Kiss the Son, lest He be angry”? Judas didn't want to anger Jesus. Regardless, this was a useless act.

  • Rather that a kiss meant to pledge allegiance, Judas kissed to betray. 

  • As it is written, “the kisses of an enemy are deceitful” (Proverbs 27:6).

 

Verses 51-56

• Verse 52. First, do not be someone given to violence, or violence will come back to you.

• Verses 53-56. Jesus knew that He needed to be arrested and led away to death in order to fulfill what the Scriptures said must be done. He knew that He was perfectly capable of defending Himself, but He didn't because He was submitted to Word of God.

  • Peter didn't understand this. He saw Jesus as a victim to be protected. In reality, Jesus was the one in control, and He was willingly submitting Himself to death.

    • Verse 55. The Pharisees never arrested Jesus before this moment because God wouldn't let it happen until the right time.

  • Just like Jesus, understand that you are never the victim when you're in obedience to God. You are as guided and as protected as you will ever be when you're being submissive to God; so never fear!

    • Remember that man has no rule over those who are submitted to God. Be strong!

 

Verses 57-68

• Verses 57-62. Like Jesus, don't insult those who insult you, and be patient and quiet through the mistreatment you suffer for your faith (1 Peter 2:19-23).

  • Jesus would not speak to try to save Himself from the death that He knew He must suffer. And He did this all for us. 

    • No matter how much you might be mistreated at times, maintain quietness because it shows that you trust God's will in what He has you going through. Quietness shows faith! (1 Peter 2:23b).

• Notice also that Jesus' accusers were all false witnesses. They could not find any evil in Jesus' words or actions.

  • Do your best to make sure that no one can truthfully accuse you of evil. Strive to have a clear conscience in everything, and you will do well (Acts 24:13-16). See Titus 2:8.

• Verses 63-65. So, when they finally determined that Jesus should be put to death, it was only because of Jesus' own words. Again, we see that Jesus was in control of the situation the entire time. He willingly submitted Himself to death.

  • As Jesus did here, always speak the truth. Let truth be what you die for, if you must!

  • Verse 67.  See Isaiah 50:6-7. Jesus didn't hide His face from the beatings nor shrink back. He was strong even in His final moments before crucifixion, and all because of His trust in the Father.

    • Be bold and strong before all people in your times, as you can know also that God's will is being done for you! There is no reason to fear!

 

Verses 69-75

• Even though Peter had insisted otherwise, he could not stop what Jesus said would happen. It's the same for us. We cannot stop what God says will happen, even if it's sin that we don't want to commit. 

• Peter was forgiven for this moment, and strengthened afterwards (Luke 22:31-32).

  • As a believer, fear of proclaiming your faith will be forgiven. Just make sure that you repent, and don't stay in fear. 

    • Fear is dangerous to your salvation (Revelation 21:8).