Christ Our Passover (Matthew 26)

In most languages, Easter is still called Passover. What does the season commemorate for Christians? Let’s find out in Matthew 26.

When Jesus had finished all these words, he said to his disciples, “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” (Matthew 26:1-2 WEB)

What were the chief priests and elders plotting?

Then the chief priests and elders of the people gathered in the courtyard of Caiaphas the high priest. They were plotting to arrest Jesus by cunning tricks and to kill him. But they agreed that it shouldn’t happen during the feast so there wouldn’t be an uproar among the people. (Matthew 26:3-5 CEB)

Perfume

What did a woman do with expensive perfume? What was the disciples’ criticism?

Jesus was in the town of Bethany, eating at the home of Simon, who had leprosy. A woman came in with a bottle of expensive perfume and poured it on Jesus' head. But when his disciples saw this, they became angry and complained, “Why such a waste? We could have sold this perfume for a lot of money and given it to the poor.” (Matthew 26:6-9 CEV)

Are some things more important than giving to the poor?

But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.” (Matthew 26:10-13 ESV)

Judas

How could Judas betray Jesus? Are we also capable of betrayal?

Then one of the Twelve—the man called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?” So they weighed out 30 pieces of silver for him. And from that time he started looking for a good opportunity to betray Him. (Matthew 26:14-16 HCSB)

Passover evening begins 7 days when only unleavened bread is eaten. Was this a special Passover?

Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover? And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover. (Matthew 26:17-19 KJV)

Did Jesus predict that one would betray Him?

Now when evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the twelve. And as they were eating, He said, “Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me.” Being deeply grieved, they began saying to Him, each one: “Surely it is not I, Lord?” And He answered, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the bowl is the one who will betray Me. (Matthew 26:20-23 NASB)

What did Jesus say to Judas?

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. Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said so.” (Matthew 26:24-25 NIV)

Bread & Wine

How did Jesus explain the elements of communion? The word “is” is not explained. Are the elements, as Catholics claim, literally transubstantiated? Are they merely symbolic? Are they a sacrament, whereby a divine blessing is imparted through material things? Is it, as Eastern Orthodox Christians humbly describe, a mystery? You decide!

As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take this and eat it, for this is my body.” And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it, for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many. (Matthew 26:26-28 NLT)

Will Jesus drink wine in the kingdom? This was six months after the grape harvest, and the only way of preserving grape juice, in an era without refrigeration and pasteurization, was to let it ferment.

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