Closing in on the Cross of Jesus Christ
Part 5: The Perfect Commitment of Christ
The Gospel of Matthew
Matthew 26:45-56
Sermon by Rick Crandall
(Prepared April 10, 2023)
BACKGROUND:
*Please open your Bibles to Matthew 26. In this chapter, Jesus and His disciples ate their last Passover meal together, and Jesus led them through the very first Lord's Supper. Matthew 26:30 tells us that "when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives." Remember that this hill to the east of Jerusalem overlooked the city from just outside the city walls. In Jesus' day it was covered with olive trees. But now the slopes facing Jerusalem have been used as a Jewish cemetery for over 3,000 years, and they contain about 150,000 graves.
*We should also know that the Mount of Olives is very important in God's Word. The Lord often went there when He was near Jerusalem. Every time Jesus visited His close friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, He was on the Mount of Olives. That's because their village of Bethany was on the slope facing away from Jerusalem, and the road from Bethany to the city passed over the Mount of Olives.
*The Lord rode down the Mount of Olives to make His triumphal entry into Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday. Then in Matthew 24 and 25, Jesus told His end times prophecies and parables while He was seated on the Mount of Olives. After He was raised again from the dead, Jesus ascended into Heaven from the Mount of Olives (Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:9-12). And when Jesus comes back to earth, He is landing on the Mount of Olives! Zechariah 14:4 says, "And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, from east to west, making a very large valley; half of the mountain shall move toward the north and half of it toward the south." (1)
*By today's Scripture, Jesus and His disciples have walked about a mile from the Upper Room to the Garden of Gethsemane. That means the "Garden of the Oil Press," and that makes sense because it was at the foot of the Mount of Olives. Here in the garden, Jesus has gone through prayerful agony, while His exhausted, troubled disciples slept. And now the hour has come for the Lord to be betrayed and arrested. But in today's verses we can also see how committed Jesus was to do everything His Father sent Him to do. Please think about Christ's perfect commitment as we read Matthew 26:45-56.
MESSAGE:
*About six months before Jesus died on the cross for us, He prophesized about His death. In John 8:28-29 Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees in the Temple, and Jesus said to them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.''
*Jesus Christ always did the things that pleased His Heavenly Father. He was totally committed to do everything His Father wanted Him to do to redeem mankind. How strong was the Lord's commitment?
1. IT WAS SO STRONG THAT JESUS WAS WILLING TO BE BETRAYED BY A FALSE FRIEND.
*God's Word shows us this betrayal in vs. 45-50.
45. Then He came to His disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.
46. Rise, let us be going. See, he who betrays Me is at hand.''
47. And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people.
48. Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.''
49. Then immediately he went up to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!'' and kissed Him.
50. And Jesus said to him, "Friend, why have you come?'' Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him.
*Judas Iscariot was the betrayer. The various forms of this word "betray" are found 41 times in our English Bibles, and all but 5 of those times relate to Judas. What a horrible legacy. Of course, Jesus always knew that Judas would betray Him, and we can be sure of this because in John 6:70 Jesus asked His disciples, "Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?'' Then John 6:71 tells us that "He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve."
*Jesus always knew about the traitor, but up to this point, Judas seemed to be a good man to everyone else. And sometimes I've wondered how anyone in Judas's position could betray the Lord. As one of the original disciples, Judas had been closely connected with Jesus for three years. Judas ate with the Lord, walked with Him, talked with Him, and slept beside Him. Judas was in on the miracles and mysteries of Christ's work here on earth. He did the work of the Lord! He was sent out by Jesus to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And in Matthew 10:7-8 Jesus gave them this command: "As you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons."
*Judas believed in the power of Jesus, so he did all of those miraculous things. But he rejected the Lord's purpose and plan. Like the devil, Judas had a rebellious heart against God. And good works, even miraculous good works, are never enough to save anybody. By faith, we must receive Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior of our lives.
*We must put all of our hope in Jesus. And Judas never did that. Instead, he trusted in himself. He pridefully trusted in his ability to fool other people. He trusted in the money he stole and conspired to get. Judas also trusted in the blind religious leaders who were about to murder Jesus. And even when Judas realized the error of his way, we will see in the next chapter that he would not turn to the Lord for forgiveness.
*By this week, Judas had also become so corrupt that Satan entered into his heart, and it happened at least twice. Luke 22:1-6 says:
1. Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called Passover.
2. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might kill Him, for they feared the people.
3. Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve.
4. So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them.
5. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money.
6. Then he promised and sought opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of the multitude.
*Then at the Last Supper, Satan entered Judas again after Jesus identified him as the traitor. And John 13:21-28 says:
21. When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.''
22. Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke.
23. Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.
24. Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke.
25. Then, leaning back on Jesus' breast, he said to Him, "Lord, who is it?''
26. Jesus answered, "It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.'' And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
27. Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, "What you do, do quickly.''
28. But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him.
*So, Jesus was sold out and set-up. The Lord of love was betrayed with a kiss, and Jesus was willing to be betrayed by a false friend. That's how committed He was to His Heavenly Father. That's how committed He was to die on the cross for our sins.
2. BUT JESUS WAS ALSO WILLING TO BE CAPTURED LIKE A CRIMINAL.
*We can see this truth in vs. 50, where Jesus asked Judas, "'Friend, why have you come?' Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him." They weren't taking our Lord to a picnic. They were taking Him to a mockery of a trial, then to torture with a whip and a crown of thorns, and finally to the cruelest death on a cross.
*Verse 55 says: "In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, 'Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me.'" The multitudes there that night treated our Lord like a notorious criminal or a terrorist. But how easy it would have been for Jesus to crush that crowd like an army of ants. On that night, Jesus reminded them of this fact.
*John 18:3-6 tells us about it. There God's Word says:
3. Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.
4. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, "Whom are you seeking?''
5. They answered Him, "Jesus of Nazareth.'' Jesus said to them, "I am He.'' And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them.
6. Then when He said to them, "I am He,'' they drew back and fell to the ground.
*With just a word, Jesus miraculously sent them sprawling to the ground. This was a most amazing thing, especially when we understand the large number of men who came out to arrest Jesus that night.
*William Barclay explained: "There is something astonishing about the force that came out to arrest Jesus. John 18:3 tells us that there were soldiers along with officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. The officers were from two branches of the Jewish police force, but "a band of men" or "a detachment of troops" was also there. In the original language that word meant a force of at least 200 men, and usually up to 1,000 soldiers. That's who came to arrest Jesus! And what a testimony of the Lord's power. When the authorities decided to arrest him, they sent an army to do it." (2)
*But with a word, Jesus laid them all flat on the ground. He is the Mighty God! Matthew Henry said that "with that simple saying, 'I am He,' Jesus showed plainly, what He could have done with them. When He struck them down, He could have struck them dead. When He spoke them to the ground, He could have spoken them to hell. Jesus also showed what He will do at last with all His hardhearted enemies who will not repent to give him glory. They shall flee, and they shall fall, before him." (3)
*Jesus could have crushed them all, but He had other things on His mind. He had His mission on His mind. He had you and me on His mind. He had His Father's perfect will on His mind. And His commitment was so strong Jesus was willing to be captured like a criminal.
3. BUT JESUS WAS ALSO WILLING TO EXPRESS KINDNESS TO HIS ENEMIES.
*Even as the Lord began to receive the worst treatment, He expressed kindness to His enemies. God's Word shows us this truth in vs. 51-52:
51. And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
52. Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword."
*John's Gospel tells us it was Peter who cut off the servant's ear that night. And let me say that Peter wasn't trying to cut off his ear. He was trying to cut off his head! But listen for the Lord's kindness starting in John 18:10: "Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus."
*Try to imagine the pain and the trauma of that wound. I mean, it hurts to have your ear thumped hard. How much more excruciating to have your ear cut off! Plus the horror of reaching up to find that your ear was gone! But Jesus Christ is filled with kindness and compassion, even for His enemies.
*Poor Malchus with the missing ear surely found out about the Lord's kindness. We know this, because in John 18:11, Jesus told Peter, "Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?''
*And Jesus healed Malchus' ear! Luke 22:51 simply says that Jesus "touched his ear and healed him." -- Wow! You know, if that happened today, we would frantically look around on the ground until we found the ear. Then we would pack it in ice and rush off to the nearest trauma center, hoping the surgeon would be able to reattach the ear. But Jesus didn't have to do any of that. No. He simply touched that stub of an ear with no more effort than I'm touching mine, and it was completely healed! Jesus was able to do that, because He is the Lord of all creation. And that was another display of Christ's wondrous power, but more than that, it was a display of His kindness.
*Jesus Christ is filled with kindness. He cared for His disciples that night. He even cared for His enemies that night. And the Lord cares for us. That's why Jesus was on the way to the cross that night. And the Lord's commitment was so strong that He was willing to express kindness to His enemies.
*We especially see this truth in Romans 5:8-10 where Paul said this to all Christians: "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if WHEN WE WERE ENEMIES we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life."
*Without Jesus Christ, we are all at war with God. We are His enemies, and it is never His fault. It is always our fault because we are the ones who rebelled and disobeyed God. But Jesus loved us even when we were His enemies. And He loved us so much that He was willing to die on the cross for our sins.
*A Salvation Army preacher in England once wrote these grateful words about our Lord and Savior: "Born in another man's stable, buried in another man's grave. His first pillow here was straw, and His crown was a crown of thorns. His first place was somebody else's manger. His last was somebody else's cross. And it was for you and me.
*Have you ever thanked Him? Have you ever gone on your knees and showed your gratefulness to Jesus? Don't forget, my brother! There is nothing that cost God so much as this. They used to go to the cross and die. Now we can go to the cross and live. It used to be the place of death, but now it's the place of life." (4)
*This is the great love of Jesus Christ. He even loved us when we were enemies of God. And the Lord's commitment was so strong that He was willing to express kindness to His enemies
4. BUT JESUS WAS ALSO WILLING TO SUFFER FOR THE SCRIPTURE.
*The Lord points us to this vital truth starting in vs. 52-54:
52. Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.
53. Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?
54. How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?''
*Church: Jesus said more than twelve legions of angels could have come to help Him, and that is over 70,000 angels! But even one angel would have been more than enough to destroy that treacherous crowd. Jesus could have easily called for help. For that matter, Jesus could have easily handled that force all by Himself. He could have handled the whole Roman army by Himself. And in the coming Battle of Armageddon, Jesus will handle all of the armies of the world by Himself! (5)
*But Jesus Christ was absolutely committed to fulfill all of God's Word. So again in vs. 54 Jesus asked, "How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?''
*We see the same kind of commitment in vs. 55-56:
55. In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me.
56. But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.'' Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.
*Here are a few examples of the prophecies that were fulfilled that night. In Zechariah 11:12, the exact price paid to Judas for betraying the Lord: "Then I said to them, 'If it is agreeable to you, give me my wages; and if not, refrain.'' So they weighed out for my wages thirty pieces of silver."
*Then in Psalm 41:9, the Lord's betrayal by a friend. There God's Word says: "Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me."
*And Zechariah 13:7 says: "Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, against the Man who is My Companion,'' says the Lord of hosts. "Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered. . ."
*Many more prophecies would be fulfilled over the next three days. And eventually all of them will be fulfilled! But today I want to stress all that Jesus was willing to go through to fulfill the Word of God. This commitment shows us the immeasurable value of God's Word. It shows us how much we should treasure God's Word. And Christ's commitment was so strong that He was willing to suffer for the Scripture.
5. BUT JESUS WAS ALSO WILLING TO BE FAILED BY HIS FOLLOWERS.
*Judas was a false friend, but even the Lord's true friends failed Him that night. We have already seen this happen when the Lord was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, and we will see it again when Peter denies the Lord. But here, the last part of vs. 56 simply says, "Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled." Jesus was abandoned by those who should have been there for Him. He was left alone by His loved ones.
*Mark 14:51-52 adds this: "Now a certain young man followed Him, having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body. And the young men laid hold of him, and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked." Mark was probably talking about himself in those verses. He was saying, "I ran away too." But Mark got a second chance that we know about, and a third chance too. The Apostle Peter also got a second chance. They may have abandoned Jesus, but Jesus never abandoned them! Jesus was completely committed to be faithful and true.
*But aren't you glad that Jesus is the God of the second chance! I'm glad too! That's the kind of God He is. That's why when Jacob was praying in Genesis 32:10, he made this confession to the LORD, "I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant." This is also why in Lamentations 3:21-23 the grieving prophet Jeremiah said, "This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. Through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."
CONCLUSION:
*Our gracious God is totally and faithfully committed to save and keep all who put their trust in Him. Jesus proved that on the way to the cross, and He proved it most of all when He died on the cross for our sins.
*Thank God! And worship the Lord, as we go back to God in prayer. But if you have never received the crucified and risen Christ, put your trust in Jesus today. Call on the Lord to save you as we go back to God in prayer, and always trust in the commitment of Jesus Christ!
(1) Sources:
-Got Questions.org - "What happened on the Mount of Olives?" - https://www.gotquestions.org/Mount-of-Olives.html
-"Mount of Olives" - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_of_Olives
(2) Adapted from BARCLAY'S DAILY BIBLE STUDY SERIES - NEW TESTAMENT by William Barclay - Revised Edition - Copyright 1975 - First published by the Saint Andrew - Press, Edinburgh, Scotland - The Westminster Press, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Public domain - "The Arrest in the Garden" - John 18:1-11 - https://bibleportal.com/commentary/section/william-barclay/the-arrest-in-the-garden-john-181-11-7846
(3) Adapted from MATTHEW HENRY'S WHOLE COMMENTARY ON THE BIBLE - 1708-1710 - John 18:1-12
(4) Adapted from: Pastor Dan Mangler, http://www.smlc-elca.org/Sunday_sermons/october_10_2004_sermon.html.
(5) VINE'S COMPLETE EXPOSITORY DICTIONARY OF NEW TESTAMENT WORDS - W. E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger, William White, Jr. - Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville TN - Copyright 1984, 1996 - "Legion" - Downloaded to e-Sword by Rick Meyers - Copyright 2021
