Tale Of Two Gardens

Introduction

There’s no way around it—the reading from Matthew’s Gospel today is very sad.

In it, Jesus suffers betrayal, abandonment, and injustice. His closest friends sell Him out, run from Him, and deny Him.

Yet through it all, Jesus is resolute. After His anguished prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane,

He rises with calm determination to obey His Father’s will.

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Theme: Fulfillment

One theme stands out: fulfillment.

Jesus says in verse 54, “How then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that it must be so?”

Even Peter’s denial fulfills what Jesus foretold.

Matthew points to Judas’ death and the potter’s field as fulfillment of ancient prophecy.

This is not an accident. Even in the darkest moments of betrayal, denial, and sin, God’s purpose is being fulfilled.

The arrest and death of Jesus are not the failure of His mission—they are the very fulfillment of it.

To see how, we look at three key figures: Judas, Peter, and Jesus.

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1. Judas: “See to It Yourself”

Before we examine Judas, a pastoral word:

Some of us have lost loved ones to suicide. This passage may stir painful memories.

Please hear this: the Bible does not teach that suicide is an unforgivable sin.

It is a tragedy and a sin because God is the Giver of life, but God’s mercy in Christ is greater than all sin.

If you are struggling with depression or thoughts of ending your life, please seek help. God wants you to live and to entrust your days to Him.

Why did Judas betray Jesus? Matthew doesn’t fully explain.

John tells us greed played a role—Judas kept the common purse and helped himself to it (John 12:4–6).

Perhaps he was disappointed Jesus wasn’t the political Messiah he expected. Perhaps it was sheer wickedness.

Whatever the motive, Judas arranged to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver and identified Him with a kiss—a gesture of friendship turned into treachery (Matthew 26:14–16, 47–50).

Notice Jesus’ response: “Friend, why are you here?”

Even in that moment, Jesus addresses Judas with grace, almost inviting repentance. But Judas refuses.

Later, when Jesus is condemned, Judas is overwhelmed with remorse (Matthew 27:3–5).

Yet Matthew says he had a change of mind, not a change of heart.

He regrets the consequences but does not turn to God for forgiveness.

Instead of running to Jesus for mercy, he throws the coins into the temple and tries to “see to it himself,” ending his life.

The priests’ words—“See to it yourself”—are chilling.

That is an anti-gospel: fix it yourself, pay for it yourself.

But no one can pay their own debt of sin. Forgiveness is found only by drawing near to Christ, who paid the price on the cross.

Friend, don’t carry guilt alone. Don’t believe the lie that you must “see to it yourself.”

Jesus bore the punishment for you. He says, “Come to me. I will bear it. I will pay the price.”

Even Judas could have been forgiven had he turned to Christ.

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2. Peter: Failure Is Not Final

Peter, too, failed.

All the disciples fled, but Peter’s failure is highlighted: he denied Jesus three times, even with curses, insisting, “I do not know the man!” (Matthew 26:69–75)

Earlier, Peter had boasted, “Even if all fall away, I never will” (Matthew 26:33).

He even tried to fight, drawing a sword to defend Jesus (John 18:10).

But Jesus rebuked him and healed the servant’s ear, teaching that His kingdom is not advanced by violence (Luke 22:51).

Peter follows at a distance, into the high priest’s courtyard.

There he undergoes his own “trial,” questioned three times and responding with growing intensity—from a simple denial to an oath to calling down curses.

Then the rooster crows, and Peter weeps bitterly.

The difference between Peter and Judas is not that Peter’s sin was small.

It’s that Peter turned back. Later he would meet the risen Christ, receive forgiveness, and be restored to leadership (John 21:15–19).

Failure does not have to be final.

The path Judas chose—despair and self-destruction—is not inevitable. In Christ there is always a way back.

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3. Jesus: The True Fulfillment

Finally, Jesus Himself.

He stands at the center of this story with calm resolve.

He knows Scripture must be fulfilled. He knows He could summon twelve legions of angels (Matthew 26:53), yet He submits to the Father’s plan.

He allows Himself to be arrested, tried, mocked, and condemned—because this is the way redemption will be accomplished.

His obedience brings life.

Where Judas tried to “see to it himself,” Jesus truly sees to it for us—bearing sin, shame, and wrath so that all who come to Him may be forgiven.

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Tale of Two Gardens

As we close, notice how the Bible’s story of salvation is framed by two gardens.

In Eden, the first Adam faced a choice and said, “My will, not Yours.”