THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST
GOSPEL: MATTHEW 26:36-46
MARCH 3, 2004 MOUNT HOLLY LENTEN LUNCH
HYMN: JESUS PAID IT ALL 210
INTRODUCTION: A few years ago, as a part of orientation for new students at Belmont Abbey College, Father Martin, an elderly monk, gave a tour of the monastery. When the group reached the dining room, Father Martin said he could just imagine THE LAST SUPPER.
Jesus knew what lay ahead of Him, and looked at each of His disciples. He looked at some and thought – You will fall asleep in the garden while I pray; of another – You will doubt and need proof that I have risen; and of another – You will betray me; and yet another – You will deny that you know me.
Then He raised His hand and summoned – “WAITER, SEPARATE CHECKS PLEASE.”
Aren’t we glad today that Jesus paid the bill (IT ALL)!
TRANISTION THOUGHT: Last week we began a journey to the Cross. For some this is a familiar road. For some this is a new journey. For all of us this is the time of the year we remember the Passion of our Christ. This is the time of the year that we fast and pray. Hopefully this is the time of the year that we agonize with our Lord over the price that had to be paid for our sin. Hopefully we remember again and hunger once more to live lives “Worthy of our Calling.” Hopefully, this is the time of the year that we commit once more to faith and obedience, to love and discipleship, and to Jesus and His Kingdom.
Often, we forget the pain and agony that brought our freedom.
OUR TEXT FOR TODAY REMINDS US OF THE JOURNEY OF OUR LORD: HEAR THIS READING FROM THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW 26: 36-46.
Jesus was a man on death row for our sin. He knew he only had days left until all the sin of humanity would be NAILED to His back, through nails in His hands and Feet. This was not something He was looking forward to, though He had always known that it would end this way.
Let us not miss out on the real humanity seen in Jesus’ earthly pre-resurrected life. Let’s spend some time in pain and sorrow and feel the pain of our Savior, Lord, Brother, and friend.
THESIS SENTENCE: THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST SHOULD LEAD US TO WATCH AND PRAY!
I. THE PASSION OF THE CHIRST IS BETRAYAL (vv. 1-5, 14-16, 21-25, 45b-46)
A. Jesus was betrayed by His own race/people
1. The religious leaders of the day sought His death. verses 1-5
2. Constantly, as we read the life story of Jesus, he is betrayed by His own people. Remember, Jesus said, “Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor.” (Matt. 13:57)
3. We know this to be only the beginning as He is constantly under threat of His very life throughout His ministry.
4. Luke 13:31 ff Jesus sorrow for Jerusalem! “At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, ‘Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.’ He replied, ‘Go tell that fox, I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’”
5. One more thought here about Barabbas: His own people could have let him go, but instead they chose a notorious criminal/prisoner, and cried out Crucify Him.
B. Jesus was betrayed by one of His own disciples (vv. 14-16, 23-25, 45-46)
1. One of Jesus’ most intimate friends? A disciple, one of twelve that Jesus spent 3 years with! A co-worker, one he had sent out into ministry, remember the 72 who went out and came back praising God, but did not continue in the journey. He was betrayed by one of the Twelve that had remained faithful when many had fallen away. (JOHN 6:60-66) JESUS SAID, “YOU DO NOT WANT TO LEAVE TOO, DO YOU?”
2. Jesus was betrayed by Judas! And He had a hard word to say about POOR Judas: verse 24!!
3. Jesus was betrayed by Peter! And HE had already predicted Peter’s betrayal/ denial verse 31!
ILLUSTRATION: Chris Johnson of York, Pa. Reports that Johnny got a part in the big city Passion Play, playing Judas. Evidently the proud parents wanted to see the boy’s name in print, or perhaps a well-meaning friend submitted the story to the press. The local paper ran the story on the front page under the heading, LOCAL BOY BETRAYS CHRIST.
THE TRUTH: WE BETRAYED JESUS!
THE QUESTIONS: How do we betray Jesus? As Christian, his people, his race, as disciples, those who have been in an intimate relationship with Him! Maybe the best question is: Do we still want to betray Jesus?
II. THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST IS ABANDONMENT (vv. 36 - 46)
A. Jesus knowing the Betrayal ahead, goes to pray, but not alone.
1. Jesus leaves some of the disciples behind, but takes his most intimate friends, James, John and Peter.
2. Hear verse 38 as Words shared, not with just anyone, but with His closest friends. These were the guys that Jesus was always taking with him in private: “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
B. Real abandonment doesn’t come from strangers; it comes from friends and family! 1. Jesus was abandoned by his best friends.
2. When was he abandoned? Was it a tough time or what!
3. Note the THREE’S HERE (3X) THREE TIMES HE FIND THE DISCIPLES ASLEEP, THREE TIMES HE PRAYS, THREE TIMES PETER BETRAYED HIM, THREE TIMES HE WILL ASK PETER, DO YOU LOVE ME!!!
C. Abandonment from the Father: 3X PRAYER! Do you remember Psalm 22? “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
THE TRUTH: WE ABANDONED JESUS IN HIS TIME OF NEED!
THE QUESTIONS: HAVE WE LEARNED FROM THE PAST OR WILL WE CONTINUE TO ABANDON THE ONE WHO WOULD PAY THE PRICE FOR OUR SIN? Maybe the bigger question would be: Have we left Jesus to pray alone in the garden?
III. THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST IS OBEDIENCE (vv. 39, 42, 44, 46 )
A. OBEDIENCE IS THE EXAMPLE GIVEN
In verse 41, Jesus utters one of the most quoted scriptures of today, “The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” This is preceded by, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”
1. What is this all about? Is Jesus forgiving or rationalizing away the disciples ability to be the people that He Jesus, and God, has called them to be? I DON’T THINK SO!!
2. JESUS WAS IN THE SAME PLACE THEY WERE IN BUT EVEN MORE SO! Jesus was saying, watch me! Do as I do, not as I say only! Jesus was saying, “Hey guys, I am 100 percent flesh and blood as you are, and I have the same Spirit in me as YOU do!” The Spirit is willing, Tap into it!! The Flesh is Weak; don’t pay attention to it!! Judas did and look where it’s getting me!”
3. Jesus says to His disciples, though God will not change the outcome, I will obey. You do the same!! OBEDIENCE IS NOT BASED ON US GETTING THINGS OUR WAY!
B. OBEDIENCE IS THE ACCEPTANCE OF GOD’S WILL
JESUS ACCEPTED GOD’S WILL!!
1. This may be redundant, but not! Jesus prays three times, “My Father,” He is getting personal here. “IF it is not.” How many times do we pray, make this life of mine different. I want, I need, I deserve...
2. Regardless of what Jesus wanted, He prayed, “Yet not as I will, But as you will!” 3. Jesus accepted the sovereignty of God and The Bigger Picture that only God can see!
C. OBEDIENCE IS DETERMINATION
Determination is seen in Verse 46, “Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
1. In the face of it all, not only was Jesus obedient and accepting, he was also determined to be God’s man in God’s plan.
2. Note the punctuation on verse 46; it is an exclamation mark. There is energy and power behind the statement. Jesus Says, I am going, so get off you DUFF and Go with me!
3. Isaiah says it like this, “Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face life flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.” (50:7)
4. Jesus knew what he was about to do would have eternal significance. He was determined, though overwhelmed by it all, to honor God by his determination to be obedient to the will of His Father, which he had accepted!
THE TRUTH: WE ARE TO WALK IN THE OBEDIENCE JESUS MODELED FOR US!
THE QUESTIONS: ARE WE STILL ASLEEP? ARE WE READY TO RISE AND GO? WILL WE WATCH AND PRAY, OR WILL LENT SLIP BY US AS WE CONTINUE IN OUR SPIRITUAL SLUMBER?
CONCLUSION: Lent is a time to reflect. Lent is a time to draw closer to our Lord and to follow HIS example. I believe Jesus would still say to us today, “Watch and Pray, so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Lent is a time of discipline: Disciplining the Body to Follow the Spirit. Let us follow the example of Jesus!
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. AMEN!
BENEDICTION: JUDE 24-25
