OBITUARIES – An Obituary Written Too Soon
Matthew 27:57-28:7 (p. 698) April 13, 2014
Introduction:
After Jesus raises Lazarus from the grave we’re told that some of the witnesses head immediately to the Pharisees and “tell them what Jesus had done.”
It’s almost like the gossip that can’t wait to get home and get on the phone...it reminds me of the 3 ministers who went on a fishing trip with each other...
[And after a couple of days while they were out in the boat together...one minister said “I feel really close to you guys and the Bible says we’re to confess our sins to one another...and I’ve got to tell you every once in a while I like to take a little drink of whiskey. The second preacher said, “I feel the same and every once in a while I like to put a bet or two on the horses.” And the 3rd minister got really excited and said, “Men you don’t know how much I appreciate your honest, because I like to gossip and I can’t wait to get home.”]
These folks that go from Lazarus’ resurrection to the Pharisees know exactly what will happen when this news is conveyed...for over 3 years the Pharisees have progressively gotten more hostile toward Jesus. His blunt honesty and popularity cause jealousy and hatred to flow from almost every question and conversation He has with them. So, when these Pharisees call a meeting of the Jewish leadership called the Sanhedrin, here’s what their leader proposes...
JOHN 11:48-53 (p. 749)
The obituary Caiaphas had in mind for Jesus of Nazareth: ”Carpenter dies suspicious death so that all the nation of Israel can be united.”
In fact the word was put out: “Anyone who finds out where Jesus is should report it so He can be arrested!” (John 11:57)
And then the plot thickens...
I. LET’S KILL THEM BOTH
It’s six days before Jesus eats the Passover meal with his disciples...six days before he washes their feet, and Judas leaves to betray him...
It’s just a short time after Lazarus’ resurrection and Mary, Martha, and Lazarus have a dinner in Jesus’ honor at their house in Bethany. Martha is serving, of course. Lazarus is reclining around the table with Jesus (I love the N.T. guide to eating)...laying down...and Mary takes a jar of expensive perfume – she pours it on Jesus’ feet and wipes it with her hair. The house is filled with the fragrance of perfume.
[It’s an act of absolute humility and worship. Mary sacrifices something of great value to her (perfume) for something she values far more...Jesus. And if you want to humble yourself as a woman worshipping Jesus can you think of anything that would do that more than kneeling at his feet, then bowing even further so you can wipe and wash his feet with your hair?]
I promise you Mary decided in her heart to sacrifice and humble herself in worship of Jesus long before she came into the room. And I would encourage every worshipper, whether traditional or contemporary, to prepare yourself...surrender your heart in sacrifice and humility before you enter this room. If you do that, you glorify the Son of God, and humble your heart. And you will be in the right posture to be a “real worshipper” in Spirit and in truth. Not everyone in Jesus’ presence will do so...Listen:
JOHN 12:4-8 (p. 750)
Judas was a thief. He wanted to steal what belonged to Jesus’ ministry for his own needs. To disguise it, he offers his concern for poor people. The problem is Mary’s motive wasn’t to rob from the poor. Mary’s motive was to honor Jesus. And Jesus said “Leave her alone...There will always be poor people...I’ll only go to the cross once!”
A large crowd gathers around the house. Spectators coming to see the guy raised from the dead and Jesus...So
JOHN 12:10-11 (p. 750)
This week is all about death and resurrection. Lazarus was somewhat the warm up act in preparation for Calvary and the empty tomb. The Pharisees are plotting “kill them both. Stop it now!” Little did they know, nothing was going to stop God’s plan. That boulder was already picking up speed as it headed down the hill,
But Pharisees and those that plot against Jesus aren’t dictating the agenda. Jesus is.
II. THE MOST AMAZING WEEK THIS WORLD HAS EVER SEEN
After Bethany’s meal the leaders of the plot to kill Jesus have a pleasant surprise.
MATTHEW 26:14-16 (p. 695)
Was the perfume the final straw for Judas? Who knows, but Judas goes to the plot leaders and trades Jesus for money. I’ve met folks like that. 30 pieces of silver (It’s the price paid for a slave) and Judas starts to watch and plan for the best time to sell Jesus out.
It’s only fitting that the Lamb of God, Jesus, would be “handed over” at Passover. It’s the Jewish celebration of God’s death angel passing over the Israelites homes and striking the Egyptians, including Pharaoh, with the death of the first born. It was the last of the 10 plagues that Moses warned Pharaoh about. But, the reason the death angel passed over the homes of the Hebrews was because of a sacrifice. A perfect lamb whose blood was to be applied to the door frame of each home, whose body was to be “eaten” quickly as a family prepares to leave slavery. Passover is all about the blood of the Lamb. So as Jesus enters the final days of this most amazing week, He prepares to eat the Passover Seder seated with His disciples. They asked him where He wants to have it and He tells them to go tell a certain man they’ll have it at his house...and there they got things ready.
MATTHEW 26:20-30 (p. 695)
Things got really, really serious when Jesus says “one of you will betray me.” This is the “cord...the 12...the small group...and Jesus knew Judas’ plan.
What strikes me is each disciple becomes very sad and asks, “Is it me?” I believe all of them had doubts and fears...you don’t ask that question unless you are unsure and need affirmation. But when Judas asks it, probably so he doesn’t stand out...Jesus says “It’s just like you said.” In other words “yes.”
Jesus then changes the Seder...its focus no longer is on the lamb thousands of years before, but on the Lamb sitting among them. The unleavened bread is broken and passed. The cup is blessed and passed. His body. His blood poured out for the forgiveness of sins.
(By the way, somewhere in this time frame Jesus washes their feet - An example of humility and service, while Judas is still present.)
They sing a hymn, (probably one of the Psalms) and they leave for the garden.
[I remember my father at our last Christmas together...2003...He’d been diagnosed with a cancer so severe he knew it would take his life...it did. March 2, 2004, just 2 months. And he sat on the couch 1 by 1 with his grandkids and told them important stuff. Every one of them remembers those conversations to this day.]
This is that kind of conversation between Jesus and His disciples. He’s preparing those He loves for His death.
[One of the most powerful stories I have about my dad involves this same time period. On December 20 my Mom and Dad celebrate their anniversary. Dad was on chemo and radiation and it had taken its toll. But, he went up to Turfland Mall...Leroy’s Jewelers and picked out a ruby ring (her birthstone) to give to her for their anniversary. He gave the clerk his credit card to pay for it, and she came back and said “I’m sorry Mr. Burdette this card was declined.” It was then he remembered he’d cancelled all of them so mom wouldn’t have to work about that after he was gone. So, he called her and she came up and paid for her own ring.]
Jesus is taking care of those He loves before he dies. So, he goes to the garden to pray for them. “His soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” It’s not a cup He wants to drink, but for the Father’s plan, He drains it dry. His closest friends go to sleep while He is in the midst of anguish not once or twice, but 3 times. And finally he wakes them.
“Look the hour has come and the S.O.M. is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” (Matt. 26:45-46)
Judas leads a large crowd armed with swords and clubs...Jesus says, “Do what you came to do” and Judas kisses Jesus and Jesus is arrested.
Jesus will go before the Sanhedrin. He’ll appear before Pilate, the Roman governor and Herod the King.
The crowd will choose a convicted criminal Barabbas over Him. And Jesus will be beaten beyond recognition. Peter will deny Him. Judas will commit suicide by hanging.
And Jesus will be crucified. Six hours on a Roman cross between 2 thieves, one eternally lost and one remembered in Paradise. Look at the last 3 hours.
MATTHEW 27:45-50 (p. 697)
[The last thing Jesus said on the cross...”Tetelistai.” Most modern versions translate this Greek word “It is finished.” But, it was a financial word used in the marketplace daily when a purchase was paid for or a bill settled. It literally means “paid in full!”]
What’s finished? Jesus’ reason for coming to earth. He came to “save the world” from the bondage of sin. How did He do that? Only one way the wages of sin are paid...only one way the debt, my debt, your debt, could be settled...a perfect Lamb...a perfect sacrifice. All sin on one side of the book, and the blood of Jesus on the other...”PAID IN FULL.”
He died, ripped by scourges..punctured with thorns, wails and a Roman spear.
That Friday evening as they hurriedly removed His body before the Sabbath and prepared it for burial must have seemed horrible. Sin has won again. Just like every other person, Jesus died. For Mary, John, everyone who loved Him, the fog of grief, pain and sorrow has rolled in.
Joseph of Arimathea was a rich man, but according to Matthew 27:57 he became a disciple of Jesus. He personally asked for Jesus’ body and buried Him in his own new tomb. (This request is mentioned in every gospel). John’s gospel says “Nicodemus” accompanied Joseph. They had to hurry. And the women looked on so they could return after the Sabbath to do a more complete job.
The chief priests and those who plotted Jesus’ death remembered His promise to rise again after 3 days...so they ask Pilate for a guard and he gives them tomb security...a seal and a sentry.
But on Sunday, the first day of the week the women who watched Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus hurriedly burry Jesus come to mourn and finish the job...
For them all Friday night, all day Saturday and Sunday morning was a time of grief. Death seemed to have won. The Pharisees had written this obituary...The deceiver is dead! But, the obituary was written way too soon.
The Earth would quake...the stone would be rolled away and the angel would announce the greatest news of all time....HE IS NOT HERE, HE HAS RISEN FROM THE DEAD! (The best news of all time came from a graveyard)
Sin hasn’t won...Death isn’t victorious...The grave isn’t the finale...Jesus lives!]
