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 (Matthew 26 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, 1 Corinthians 5:7, John 10:17-18, Isaiah 53:7, Jeremiah 17:9, Psalms 2:1-2, Acts 2:23, Romans 8:28, John 13:1-17, Exodus 12:3-14, 1 Corinthians 5:7, Luke 22:19-20, Isaiah 53:5, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 9:14-15, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Hebrews 10:10, 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, He 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.

THE PLOT TO KILL JESUS 1-4

Even when evil schemes against GOD’s anointed, HIS divine purpose unfolds exactly as HE ordained. CHRIST willingly embraced the cross to fulfill redemption.

THEME:

• 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.

A. THE PROPHETIC WORD OF JESUS (vv. 1–2)

Vs. 2 “You know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”

POINTS:

• Jesus knew exactly what awaited Him - nothing took Him by surprise.

• The timing (“after two days is the Passover”) shows divine alignment: the true Passover Lamb would be slain for the sins of the world.

1 Corinthians 5:7 …Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.

• HIS statement reveals both HIS deity (foreknowledge) and HIS humanity (submission to suffering).

SUPPORTING SCRIPTURES:

• John 10:17-18 “No one takes My life from Me... I lay it down of Myself.”

• Isaiah 53:7 “He was led as a lamb to the slaughter.”

APPLICATION: When life feels uncertain, remember: Jesus wasn’t a victim of circumstances; He was fulfilling destiny. GOD’s plan for your life, too, is never out of control.

B. THE PLOT OF THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS (vv. 3-5)

“Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders... plotted to take Jesus by trickery and kill Him.”

POINTS:

• Those entrusted with spiritual leadership were now leading a conspiracy.