Preparation For The Cross. Faithful Living In The Light Of Christ’s Sacrifice. Matthew 26:1-30 Series

2025.10.12. Sermon Notes. PREPARATION FOR THE CROSS. FAITHFUL LIVING IN THE LIGHT OF CHRIST’S SACRIFICE. Matthew 26:1-30 (MATTHEW26-PART 1)

William Akehurst, HSWC

BIG IDEA: True discipleship is lived in the shadow of CHRIST’s Sacrifice, the Cross. We are called to honor HIM, remain faithful, and participate in HIS New Covenant.

KEY WORDS: Faithfulness, Worship, Obedience, Prepare, preparation, faithful living, Passover, communion, Lord’s Supper, betrayal, Judas

SCRIPTURES: Matthew 26:1-30, John 13:1-17, Luke 22:19-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Isaiah 53:5, Romans 12:1-2

Matthew 26 is one of profound preparation: preparation for betrayal, suffering, and ultimate redemption. JESUS is fully aware of the cross, yet HE moves with unwavering obedience to the FATHER.

In the midst of pending and imminent suffering, JESUS demonstrates humility, instructs HIS disciples, and establishes a covenant that will transform all who believe.

Just as JESUS prepared, today, we as believers are called to prepare: our hearts, minds, and lives, in preparation for CHRIST’s work in our lives. To faithful living in the light of HIS sacrifice.

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I. THE REALITY OF BETRAYAL (Matthew 26:1-16)

Matthew 26:1-16

THE PLOT TO KILL JESUS

1 Now it came to pass, when JESUS had finished all these sayings, that He said to His disciples, 2 “You know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”

3 Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people assembled at the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, 4 and plotted to take JESUS by trickery and kill Him. 5 But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.”

THE ANOINTING AT BETHANY

6 And when JESUS was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper,

7 a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table.

8 But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9 For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.”

10 But when JESUS was aware of it, He said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me. 11 For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. 12 For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial. 13 Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”

JUDAS AGREES TO BETRAY JESUS

14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. 16 So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.

MESSAGE:

• BETRAYAL is a part of life; even JESUS experienced it. Life will always have moments of betrayal, disappointment, and human failure, even among those closest to us.

• GOD IS SOVEREIGN. GOD’s sovereignty is never compromised by human sin. CHRIST’s knowledge of Judas’ betrayal reminds us that GOD is sovereign even in the midst of human sin.

ILLUS: When a trusted friend, family member or co-worker let you down, how did it affect your faith or perspective?

KEY VERSE: Matthew 26:14 “Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests…”

APPLICATION:

• Evaluate relationships: Are you surrounding yourself with people who encourage faithfulness?

• Trust GOD even when betrayed.

• Respond with forgiveness and grace when betrayed, just as CHRIST models.

REFLECTION:

• Have I been faithful in relationships, or have I betrayed trust? Who or what are you tempted to betray by neglecting your devotion to GOD?

• Am I relying on GOD to restore what others have broken? Are there areas in your life where your loyalty is divided between GOD and worldly influences?

While betrayal is painful, JESUS shows us the response of faith and worship in His next act. (6-13).

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II. THE ACT OF WORSHIP AND PREPARATION (Matthew 26:6-13)

Matthew 26:6-13 THE ANOINTING AT BETHANY

6 And when JESUS was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper,

7 a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table.

8 But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9 For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.”

10 But when JESUS was aware of it, He said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me. 11 For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. 12 For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial. 13 Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”