The Agony Of The King
Our Text: Matthew 26: 1-46
As we approach the end of the Gospel of Matthew, we also are in the end time of the days Our Lord spent on this Earth while in the flesh. These next chapters describe a week most call "Passion Week" or "The Passion of Christ". It is a week of suffering and agony for the Lord, not because of the cross, because Jesus Christ had joy in sacrificing Himself for our sin:
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; [who for the joy that was set before him] endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
These verses tell us of the final events in the earthly life of Jesus. Every step Jesus took while on this earth was a step toward the cross. Jesus was not the victim here. In everything, He was in total control.
Jesus had stirred the religious leaders to a point of frenzy and their plot to kill Him could not be delayed.
Jesus had already told these disciples of the fact of His death and He would now tell them the exact time.
There are three people we need to focus on in this passage.
1.) Of course, Our Lord
2.) Mary, of Mary and Martha.
3.) Judas Iscariot.
*****Our Text:
Mat 26:1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples,
Mat 26:2 Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.
Mat 26:3 Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,
Mat 26:4 And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.
Mat 26:5 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.
Caiaphas was the High Priest not because he was of the family of Aaron, for he was not, but because of politics of Rome. The procurator of Rome, Valerius Gratus, appointed him to this position. The High Priest was never a position that was to be appointed by governments. All Priests, Pastors, Preachers must always be called of God. Caiaphas was a Sadducee and was High Priests during all the time of Pilate. His father-n-law Anna had also been High Priests, who also had five more sons who held this position. Caiaphas' unscrupulous vigor, combined with political shrewdness, characterizes him in the New Testament, as it also kept him in office longer than any of his predecessors
Caiaphas had been humiliated by Jesus at the Temple and was told he was ignorant of the scriptures and he was. If you are not called of God you will never understand God's Word.
The Jews had a history of slaying the Passover Lamb:
Exo 12:14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.
Exo 12:15 Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.
Exo 12:16 And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you.
Exo 12:17 And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever.
Exo 12:18 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even.
Exo 12:19 Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land.
Exo 12:20 Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread.
What had the Apostle John said as he witnessed the approach of Jesus:
Joh 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, [Behold the Lamb of God], which taketh away the sin of the world.
The killing of the Passover Lamb had only provided a refuge for those that put themselves under the protection from judgment and freedom from guilt by expressing their faith in obedience to the Law of Moses.
To fulfill prophecy and this memorial service Jesus Christ had to be sacrificed on the appointed day!
Jesus knew full well the schedule God had predetermined for Him.
All the wickedness and hatred of man that come from sin was now engulfed with Satanic power and aimed at the Lord Jesus Christ.
There are seven events we need to watch for in this chapter:
1.) The last prediction of His suffering and death. Vs 1-5)
2.) His anointing by Mary. (Vs 6-13)
3.) The betrayal by Judas. (Vs 14-16)
4.) The Passover meal. (Vs 17-35)
5.) The "agony" in the Garden of Gethsemane. (Vs 36-46)
6.) His capture and sufferings. (Vs 47-68)
7.) The denial of Peter. (Vs 69-75)
We should not think that all that was before Our Lord came upon Him gradually. Christ Jesus knew everything that was before Him and He always had from that day He was born in Bethlehem.
How many times had He walked before that hill called Golgotha knowing that He would "grace" a cross one day. In His flesh that had to be mental "agony".
It was now two days before the Passover and He would be delivered to the Gentiles:
Before:
Isa 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
After:
Act 8:27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
Act 8:28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
Act 8:29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
Act 8:30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
Act 8:31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
Act 8:32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
What we see is that while the religious leaders were meeting to plot His death, His friends were meeting to show their love for Him.
*****Our Text:
Mat 26:6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,
Mat 26:7 There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.
Mat 26:8 But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?
Mat 26:9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.
Mat 26:10 When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.
Mat 26:11 For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.
Mat 26:12 For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.
Mat 26:13 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.
Matthew shows us the connection between Mary's worship and Judas's betrayal. It was after this, the anointing by Mary(not His mother), that Judas went to the high priests with his offer of betrayal.
Mar 14:10 And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.
Mar 14:11 And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.
This had taken place six days before the Passover:
Joh 12:1 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
Joh 12:2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
Though no one seemed to care to much for Mary, she is found only three times in the Gospels. We should take notice of her three times the Holy Ghost wanted us to see:
1.) She is at the Feet of Jesus which means she is worshipping the Lord.
Luk 10:38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
Luk 10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
Luk 10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
Luk 10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
Luk 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
2.) She falls to her knees at the feet of Jesus:
Joh 11:28 And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.
Joh 11:29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.
Joh 11:30 Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.
Joh 11:31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.
Joh 11:32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
3.) When she anointed Our Lord:
Joh 12:1 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
Joh 12:2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
Joh 12:3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
It is no wonder that Jesus told all to remember her. She knew that the most important place to be was humbly worshipping the Lord Jesus Christ and listening to His Word.
When we combine the Gospel records, we learn that Mary had anointed both the Head and Feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair.
1Co 11:15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
If hair is the glory of of a woman, she then surrendered her glory to the Lord.
Because Mary had listened to the Word of Christ, she knew that Jesus would die soon and be buried. She also knew His body would not need the traditional care given to the dead:
Psa 16:9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
Psa 16:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
Mary acted out of faith and love for her Lord and Our Lord. It would take nearly a years wages to purchase such an alabaster box of this ointment. the cost would have been near 50 dollars in our day. It was a gift suitable for a king or a rabbi. Only such a gift would be a worthy expression of her deep devotion for her Master.
Mary should be an example to us all. No matter our circumstances we should bring our very best when we come to sit at the feet of Jesus. We should bring our very best behavior when we go to the House of God. There is no better place to be than humbly, before God.
Every time Mary had tried to do something for Jesus, she had been misunderstood.
What we see is that when we can expect to be misunderstood by others when we devote ourselves to Christ Jesus!
Even at this time the other disciples did not know the true character of Judas. This evidence of devotion was met with ridicule by the disciples who listened to the words of Judas on this day.
Mar 14:4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?
Mar 14:5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
Judas was the treasurer of these disciples. The Apostle John who wrote much later than the rest added that Judas was also a thief.
Joh 12:5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
Joh 12:6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
Judas had been motivated by greed. He wanted to sit in and be a part of this kingdom set up by the Messiah. He had believed this much of the the things the Word of God had said. Judas was in this thing for the material things he thought he would have on this earth.
Judas realized that the truth was that Jesus was not going to set up His Kingdom at this time and it was a true thing that, He (Jesus) was going to die.
The religious leaders knowing that Jesus was in fact the true King, had rejected Him as the Messiah. Judas now joined forces with them.
On the other hand Mary knew the truth!
*****Our text:
Mat 26:14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,
Mat 26:15 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
Mat 26:16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
This was the last straw for Judas. He had never accepted the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ and if Jesus did not claim His rightful throne then his own dreams of could not be fulfilled. Judas had thought that if enough people would follow Jesus then maybe they could have defeated Rome.
Judas was the only disciple from Judea. The rest had come from Galilee or other places. Judas had the mind set of most all Judeans. They all wanted to be out from under the control of Rome at least all except the religious leaders.
During the years of Christ's ministry Judas had been publicly seen with Jesus but he now wanted to be a part of Christ Jesus's adversaries.
Remember we know Judas was not a true believer because Jesus said so!
Joh 13:10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
Joh 13:11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
It is in these times that Satan will take advantage of the lost soul.
This action would take place at the first Lord's Supper in just four days from this time of Mary's anointing of Jesus.
The Bible says:
2Ti 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, [who are taken captive by him at his will].
Unless you are a child of God, you have no power to resist the devil!
Judas was now glad to accept any payment for betraying Our Lord. The amount of that payment had been decided by God and given to the prophets many years before this.
Zec 11:12 And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.
Psa 41:9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
Psa 55:12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:
Psa 55:13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.
Psa 55:14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.
This was the price of a slave in the days of Moses!
Exo 21:32 If the ox shall push a manservant or a maidservant; [he shall give unto their master thirty shekels of silver], and the ox shall be stoned.
The life of Judas should be a warning to all those who pretend to serve God, no matter what religion they serve in.
Judas wasted the opportunities God gave him. He wasted his life and he wasted his soul.
Jesus called him the "son of waste"! (son of perdition)
Joh 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but [the son of perdition]; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
*****Our text:
Mat 26:17 Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?
Mat 26:18 And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.
Mat 26:19 And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.
Mat 26:20 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.
Mat 26:21 And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
Mat 26:22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?
Mat 26:23 And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.
Mat 26:24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.
Mat 26:25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
We know from the Book of Luke that it was Peter and John who made ready the Passover meal.
Luk 22:7 Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. Luk 22:8 And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.
Luk 22:9 And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare?
Luk 22:10 And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in.
Luk 22:11 And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?
Luk 22:12 And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.
Luk 22:13 And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.
The first day of the feast was the day the passover would be killed. Up until the end, the disciples did not know Judas was a betrayer. The Lord Jesus was still no respecter of persons. During this very meal Jesus made His announcement that there was a traitor amongst them.
This confused these disciples. No doubt this brought Judas under conviction. All those that responded "it is not I, is it". They truly wanted Jesus to say the word "no".
Jesus said:
Luk 22:21 But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
Jesus said:
Mat 26:23 And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.
Mat 26:24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.
Then Judas said:
Mat 26:25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
Judas was reclining to Our Lord's left, which was a place of honor and it was an act of friendship to break bread together.
When Jesus dipped the bread in the herbs and gave it to Judas he accepted knowing he was betraying Our Lord. What a hypocrite!
Psa 41:9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
It was at this instant that Satan entered into Judas. Jesus in the giving of the bread was an act of hospitality but Judas in accepting it was an act of "treachery".
Though was written in prophecy and would hold true, Judas had still had room to repent but he had chosen his own way. The Holy Ghost just knew that Judas would never believe.
Notice Judas does not say the word Lord but he says Master. Master is the same as Rabbi. Jesus was not the Lord of Judas by his own choosing.
From the lips of Jesus, he hears that word "Woe".
You know if you are not going to Heaven then it would have been best if you had never been born. These are the words of Jesus Christ and they are very true!
There is only one way to Heaven so how hard is that choice?
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Joh 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
Judas then left:
Joh 13:31 Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
Jesus knew Judas had gone straight to the High Priest to tell His where abouts.
*****Our text:
Mat 26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
Mat 26:27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
Mat 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Mat 26:29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
Mat 26:30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
Mat 26:31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
Mat 26:32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.
Mat 26:33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.
Mat 26:34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
Mat 26:35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.
We now have the record of the Lord's Supper!
As they were eating the Passover meal, Jesus began something new.
This is my body. Not literally, as the Catholics and Lutheran say, but "represents my body." We interpret it as we do his other sayings: "The seed is the word," "The field is the world," "The reapers are the angels," "The harvest is the end of the world," "I am the door," "I am the vine." So, too, at this very feast, the Jew was wont to say of the lamb,
"This is the body of the lamb which our fathers ate in Egypt."
This ordinance of the Lord's supper is to us the passover supper, by which we commemorate a much greater deliverance than that of Israel out of Egypt.
It is the Apostle Paul, as he was lead by the Holy Spirit, that put this in words for the New Testament Church:
1Co 11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
1Co 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
1Co 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
1Co 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
1Co 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
1Co 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
1Co 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
1Co 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
The Lord Jesus took the unleavened bread and the cup of juice to picture His own death. The bread when it was broken is a picture of the Lord's "body" that was destroyed on that cross.
The "fruit of the vine" the juice of the grape is a picture of His blood that was shed on that cross paid for our redeemed souls.
There are many that would use actual wine in remembrance of this ordinance but they are wrong for doing so.
God never authorized the use of wine or any fermented drink for personal use in the Bible. In fact He says to not even look upon any such drink!
Pro 23:19 Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.
Pro 23:20 Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: Pro 23:19 Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.
Pro 23:20 Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:
Pro 23:29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?
Pro 23:30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.
Pro 23:31 [Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright].
Pro 23:32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.
Pro 23:33 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.
Pro 23:34 Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.
Pro 23:35 They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.
God will never go against His written Word! No believer should ever drink any alcoholic drink period!
This text does not indicate that anything special or mysterious happened to these two elements. They remained bread and juice but they now conveyed a much deeper meaning " the body and the blood of Jesus".
The Lord's Supper means to the New Testament Church for us to look ahead to the return of Jesus Christ to claim His Church.
The New Testament Church should observe this supper until He comes!
"This cup is the new testament in my blood: [this do ye], as oft as ye drink it, [in remembrance of me]"
The Passover Feast had looked ahead to the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the World.
Joh 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
The Lord's Supper is the celebration of the fact that this work of the Lord has been completed.
Joh 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
Joh 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
To use these things for any other purpose is to discredit what God set out to do and that is to pay our sin debt so we could join Him in Heaven at the death of our own flesh while still here on this Earth.
Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, [and washed us from our sins in his own blood],
Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Jesus added:
"I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom"
We know that the Bible says Jesus did eat again later but the Bible does not say He drank of the juice of the vine.
The Psalms that were sung during this Passover Feast were by tradition Psalms 116-118. They will give us all a blessing to sing them.
(Some portions of them)
Psa 116:13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.
Psa 116:14 I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.
Psa 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
Psa 117:1 O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.
Psa 117:2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.
Psa 118:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 118:14 The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
Psa 118:17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.
Psa 118:18 The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.
Psa 118:28 Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
Psa 118:29 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Even while Jesus Christ was rejected by His own people and was headed for the cross that very night He still took time to give God, His Father and ours the praise He deserves!
It was nearly two thirds of a mile to the Garden of Gethsemane from that upper room yet Jesus allows us to hear what the conversation was about as they walked.
Gethsemane means: "oil press". But Gethsemane has not come down to us as a scene of mirth; its inexhaustible associations are the offspring of a single event -- the "agony" of the Son of God on the evening preceding his passion.
We do normally point to Peter as the one that failed Our Lord but this scripture says specifically that all the disciples were involved.
The prophet Zechariah had written:
Zec 13:7 Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: [smite the shepherd], and [the sheep shall be scattered]: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.
Verse 32 says that Jesus at this point tells them again that He will rise after His death but we know that they were to tied up in their own selves to be taking in the words of The Lord.
Jesus said here that He would meet them in Galilee after His "resurrection"!
It was the angels that reminded them all of this after Jesus was buried and had risen.
Mat 28:7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
You know that tomb is still empty!
That cannot be said of Mohammed's tomb, nor Confusious's tomb nor any other so called messiah that has ever lived.
When Peter disagreed with the Lord, this was the beginning of his sin.
Anytime we disagree with what the Lord has said, WE ARE IN SIN!
You see Peter was unwilling to apply the Word of God to himself. Was Peter better than anyone else.
No, the Word of God applies just as it is written, rightly divided, to all our lives the exact same way!
Christ Jesus did not reassure Peter at this time but He did give him a warning. Had all these disciples just obeyed the Word of God and believed then Peter nor any of them would have had to deny the Lord.
Not once but surely not three times.
The Jews require a sign and Jesus gave Peter a sign that what He said was true. That cock crowed according to God's schedule!
*****Our text:
Mat 26:36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
Mat 26:37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
Mat 26:38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
Mat 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
Mat 26:40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
Mat 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Mat 26:42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
Mat 26:43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.
Mat 26:44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
Mat 26:45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Mat 26:46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.
The Bible gives us details of three gardens:
1.) The Garden of Eden:
We know that the first Adam was tempted and that he failed. This failure turned the first garden of paradise into a garden of sin. The way to the Tree of Life was blocked.
Gen 3:22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
Gen 3:23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.
Gen 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
2.) Here we have the Garden of Gethsemane:
The second Adam will resist all the wiles of the devil, all the weakness of the flesh, and the mental depression that comes from death. Jesus in Gethsemane turned this one into a Garden of Flowers for in it He prepared for man's redemption.
3.) We will all join together in the true Garden of Paradise where will again be full access to the Tree of Life:
Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Jesus Christ is that tree of life:
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Joh 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
Joh 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
When Jesus arrives at this garden He leaves eight disciples at the gate and takes three with Him.
This is not the first time he has taken these three with Him as this:
1.) Mar 5:35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?
Mar 5:36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
Mar 5:37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.
2.) Mat 17:1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
Mat 17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
Mat 17:3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
3.) Here in our passage.
These would be witnesses to these events.
They were told to watch and pray while He went about a hundred feet deeper into the garden.
Jesus places them saying:
"My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me"
We have no better place in the Bible that the evidence shows the full humanity of Jesus. He was one hundred percent God but He was also one hundred percent man. Jesus was man in every sense of the word.
Jesus Christ took on Himself our nature, apart from any sin, fully human with spirit, body and soul.
The "agony" described here is mental and spiritual!
What was the effect on His body?
Luk 22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
We can see that the body and the soul are intimately connected.
There is other proof in the Bible of this happening to a man:
Dan 5:5 In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.
Dan 5:6 Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.
This is again the reaction of the inner man on the outer man.
It is the same when we receive some horrible news of people we love. Our reaction will show on our outer features.
What caused that sorrow?
The sorrow that came over Jesus, the trouble in His soul was that He was very near His death on that cross. He was not accused of any felony for He was found innocent of all things by Pilate. Jesus was not guilty of but one thing.
"He was carrying my sin and your sin to that cross and in doing so He would, in that physical body of flesh, alienate His soul from God the Father in Heaven".
He knew that the sacrifice He would make joyfully would cause His Father to forsake Him.
Jesus Christ had to die a spiritual death, and spiritual death is absence of the soul from God.
George Washington prayed if he were to die to be shot as a soldier on the battlefield rather than be shot as a spy or traitor of an oppressing foreign nation.
George had no fear of death, he just want to die for America and not England.
The Apostle Paul wrote:
Heb 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
Heb 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
Heb 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Jesus Christ had no fear of death yet He did not want to die a death in which He would alienate His Father. Yet there was no other way!
It was in the obedience to the Father where the Son was made perfect.
To the Christian it is the same. It is the obedience to the Father through His Son that makes us perfect in the eyes of the Father.
To all other religions and their many ways to Heaven [we can see that there had to be a substitute].
There was no other way to save mankind!
God had said:
Eze 18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
Eze 18:20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
The Law of God says that He must be vindicated:
In order for mankind to be vindicated before a Holy God, in order for man to be redeemed, man's sin debt had to be paid.
There had to be a shedding of blood:
Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Jesus had said "if it be possible" and what we see is that it was "impossible" for salvation to the believer to come from any other way.
The cup that Jesus was to drink of was not allowed to pass!
1.) The omniscience of God could see no other way.
2.) The omnipotence of God could work out no other way.
3.) The omnipresence of God could get in touch with the sinner in no other way.
4.) A Holy and Just God could find no other way!
2Co 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
2Co 5:21 [For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin]; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
This was the "agony" Christ Jesus in His flesh had everyday!
Jesus prayed:
Mat 26:42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
Mat 26:43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.
Mat 26:44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
To be in the will of the Father in Heaven is always the right place to be.
The devil knew that the cross lay just before Jesus. The devil knew what the effect would be if Jesus got to that cross and then died there.
Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Joh 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even [so must the Son of man be lifted up:
Joh 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life].
Joh 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
Joh 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
The devil tried with all his might to get Christ Jesus to shrink back from the suffering that He must undertake. Jesus felt this "agony" but He had no fear of the devil.
In fact Jesus had these words:
Joh 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
Joh 10:18 No man taketh it from me, [but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again]. This commandment have I received of my Father.
It should be the same with all of us. It was that relationship with Our Father who Art In Heaven where we need to place our priorities.
Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
God says since the cross:
God adds:
1Jn 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
1Jn 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
1Jn 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
1Jn 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
1Jn 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in im, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
1Jn 5:15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
To complete your study of this passage read the Book Psalms chapter 102.
Jesus Christ gladly gave His life for us! All He ask is our reasonable service in return. How we not be obedient to the God who saves?
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Let's Pray!
Our Text: Matthew 26: 1-46
As we approach the end of the Gospel of Matthew, we also are in the end time of the days Our Lord spent on this Earth while in the flesh. These next chapters describe a week most call "Passion Week" or "The Passion of Christ". It is a week of suffering and agony for the Lord, not because of the cross, because Jesus Christ had joy in sacrificing Himself for our sin:
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; [who for the joy that was set before him] endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
These verses tell us of the final events in the earthly life of Jesus. Every step Jesus took while on this earth was a step toward the cross. Jesus was not the victim here. In everything, He was in total control.
Jesus had stirred the religious leaders to a point of frenzy and their plot to kill Him could not be delayed.
Jesus had already told these disciples of the fact of His death and He would now tell them the exact time.
There are three people we need to focus on in this passage.
1.) Of course, Our Lord
2.) Mary, of Mary and Martha.
3.) Judas Iscariot.
*****Our Text:
Mat 26:1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples,
Mat 26:2 Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.
Mat 26:3 Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,
Mat 26:4 And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.
Mat 26:5 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.
Caiaphas was the High Priest not because he was of the family of Aaron, for he was not, but because of politics of Rome. The procurator of Rome, Valerius Gratus, appointed him to this position. The High Priest was never a position that was to be appointed by governments. All Priests, Pastors, Preachers must always be called of God. Caiaphas was a Sadducee and was High Priests during all the time of Pilate. His father-n-law Anna had also been High Priests, who also had five more sons who held this position. Caiaphas' unscrupulous vigor, combined with political shrewdness, characterizes him in the New Testament, as it also kept him in office longer than any of his predecessors
Caiaphas had been humiliated by Jesus at the Temple and was told he was ignorant of the scriptures and he was. If you are not called of God you will never understand God's Word.
The Jews had a history of slaying the Passover Lamb:
Exo 12:14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.
Exo 12:15 Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.
Exo 12:16 And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you.
Exo 12:17 And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever.
Exo 12:18 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even.
Exo 12:19 Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land.
Exo 12:20 Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread.
What had the Apostle John said as he witnessed the approach of Jesus:
Joh 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, [Behold the Lamb of God], which taketh away the sin of the world.
The killing of the Passover Lamb had only provided a refuge for those that put themselves under the protection from judgment and freedom from guilt by expressing their faith in obedience to the Law of Moses.
To fulfill prophecy and this memorial service Jesus Christ had to be sacrificed on the appointed day!
Jesus knew full well the schedule God had predetermined for Him.
All the wickedness and hatred of man that come from sin was now engulfed with Satanic power and aimed at the Lord Jesus Christ.
There are seven events we need to watch for in this chapter:
1.) The last prediction of His suffering and death. Vs 1-5)
2.) His anointing by Mary. (Vs 6-13)
3.) The betrayal by Judas. (Vs 14-16)
4.) The Passover meal. (Vs 17-35)
5.) The "agony" in the Garden of Gethsemane. (Vs 36-46)
6.) His capture and sufferings. (Vs 47-68)
7.) The denial of Peter. (Vs 69-75)
We should not think that all that was before Our Lord came upon Him gradually. Christ Jesus knew everything that was before Him and He always had from that day He was born in Bethlehem.
How many times had He walked before that hill called Golgotha knowing that He would "grace" a cross one day. In His flesh that had to be mental "agony".
It was now two days before the Passover and He would be delivered to the Gentiles:
Before:
Isa 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
After:
Act 8:27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
Act 8:28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
Act 8:29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
Act 8:30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
Act 8:31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
Act 8:32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
What we see is that while the religious leaders were meeting to plot His death, His friends were meeting to show their love for Him.
*****Our Text:
Mat 26:6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,
Mat 26:7 There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.
Mat 26:8 But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?
Mat 26:9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.
Mat 26:10 When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.
Mat 26:11 For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.
Mat 26:12 For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.
Mat 26:13 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.
Matthew shows us the connection between Mary's worship and Judas's betrayal. It was after this, the anointing by Mary(not His mother), that Judas went to the high priests with his offer of betrayal.
Mar 14:10 And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.
Mar 14:11 And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.
This had taken place six days before the Passover:
Joh 12:1 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
Joh 12:2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
Though no one seemed to care to much for Mary, she is found only three times in the Gospels. We should take notice of her three times the Holy Ghost wanted us to see:
1.) She is at the Feet of Jesus which means she is worshipping the Lord.
Luk 10:38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
Luk 10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
Luk 10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
Luk 10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
Luk 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
2.) She falls to her knees at the feet of Jesus:
Joh 11:28 And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.
Joh 11:29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.
Joh 11:30 Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.
Joh 11:31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.
Joh 11:32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
3.) When she anointed Our Lord:
Joh 12:1 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
Joh 12:2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
Joh 12:3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
It is no wonder that Jesus told all to remember her. She knew that the most important place to be was humbly worshipping the Lord Jesus Christ and listening to His Word.
When we combine the Gospel records, we learn that Mary had anointed both the Head and Feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair.
1Co 11:15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
If hair is the glory of of a woman, she then surrendered her glory to the Lord.
Because Mary had listened to the Word of Christ, she knew that Jesus would die soon and be buried. She also knew His body would not need the traditional care given to the dead:
Psa 16:9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
Psa 16:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
Mary acted out of faith and love for her Lord and Our Lord. It would take nearly a years wages to purchase such an alabaster box of this ointment. the cost would have been near 50 dollars in our day. It was a gift suitable for a king or a rabbi. Only such a gift would be a worthy expression of her deep devotion for her Master.
Mary should be an example to us all. No matter our circumstances we should bring our very best when we come to sit at the feet of Jesus. We should bring our very best behavior when we go to the House of God. There is no better place to be than humbly, before God.
Every time Mary had tried to do something for Jesus, she had been misunderstood.
What we see is that when we can expect to be misunderstood by others when we devote ourselves to Christ Jesus!
Even at this time the other disciples did not know the true character of Judas. This evidence of devotion was met with ridicule by the disciples who listened to the words of Judas on this day.
Mar 14:4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?
Mar 14:5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
Judas was the treasurer of these disciples. The Apostle John who wrote much later than the rest added that Judas was also a thief.
Joh 12:5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
Joh 12:6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
Judas had been motivated by greed. He wanted to sit in and be a part of this kingdom set up by the Messiah. He had believed this much of the the things the Word of God had said. Judas was in this thing for the material things he thought he would have on this earth.
Judas realized that the truth was that Jesus was not going to set up His Kingdom at this time and it was a true thing that, He (Jesus) was going to die.
The religious leaders knowing that Jesus was in fact the true King, had rejected Him as the Messiah. Judas now joined forces with them.
On the other hand Mary knew the truth!
*****Our text:
Mat 26:14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,
Mat 26:15 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
Mat 26:16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
This was the last straw for Judas. He had never accepted the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ and if Jesus did not claim His rightful throne then his own dreams of could not be fulfilled. Judas had thought that if enough people would follow Jesus then maybe they could have defeated Rome.
Judas was the only disciple from Judea. The rest had come from Galilee or other places. Judas had the mind set of most all Judeans. They all wanted to be out from under the control of Rome at least all except the religious leaders.
During the years of Christ's ministry Judas had been publicly seen with Jesus but he now wanted to be a part of Christ Jesus's adversaries.
Remember we know Judas was not a true believer because Jesus said so!
Joh 13:10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
Joh 13:11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
It is in these times that Satan will take advantage of the lost soul.
This action would take place at the first Lord's Supper in just four days from this time of Mary's anointing of Jesus.
The Bible says:
2Ti 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, [who are taken captive by him at his will].
Unless you are a child of God, you have no power to resist the devil!
Judas was now glad to accept any payment for betraying Our Lord. The amount of that payment had been decided by God and given to the prophets many years before this.
Zec 11:12 And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.
Psa 41:9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
Psa 55:12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:
Psa 55:13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.
Psa 55:14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.
This was the price of a slave in the days of Moses!
Exo 21:32 If the ox shall push a manservant or a maidservant; [he shall give unto their master thirty shekels of silver], and the ox shall be stoned.
The life of Judas should be a warning to all those who pretend to serve God, no matter what religion they serve in.
Judas wasted the opportunities God gave him. He wasted his life and he wasted his soul.
Jesus called him the "son of waste"! (son of perdition)
Joh 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but [the son of perdition]; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
*****Our text:
Mat 26:17 Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?
Mat 26:18 And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.
Mat 26:19 And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.
Mat 26:20 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.
Mat 26:21 And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
Mat 26:22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?
Mat 26:23 And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.
Mat 26:24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.
Mat 26:25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
We know from the Book of Luke that it was Peter and John who made ready the Passover meal.
Luk 22:7 Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. Luk 22:8 And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.
Luk 22:9 And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare?
Luk 22:10 And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in.
Luk 22:11 And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?
Luk 22:12 And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.
Luk 22:13 And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.
The first day of the feast was the day the passover would be killed. Up until the end, the disciples did not know Judas was a betrayer. The Lord Jesus was still no respecter of persons. During this very meal Jesus made His announcement that there was a traitor amongst them.
This confused these disciples. No doubt this brought Judas under conviction. All those that responded "it is not I, is it". They truly wanted Jesus to say the word "no".
Jesus said:
Luk 22:21 But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
Jesus said:
Mat 26:23 And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.
Mat 26:24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.
Then Judas said:
Mat 26:25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
Judas was reclining to Our Lord's left, which was a place of honor and it was an act of friendship to break bread together.
When Jesus dipped the bread in the herbs and gave it to Judas he accepted knowing he was betraying Our Lord. What a hypocrite!
Psa 41:9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
It was at this instant that Satan entered into Judas. Jesus in the giving of the bread was an act of hospitality but Judas in accepting it was an act of "treachery".
Though was written in prophecy and would hold true, Judas had still had room to repent but he had chosen his own way. The Holy Ghost just knew that Judas would never believe.
Notice Judas does not say the word Lord but he says Master. Master is the same as Rabbi. Jesus was not the Lord of Judas by his own choosing.
From the lips of Jesus, he hears that word "Woe".
You know if you are not going to Heaven then it would have been best if you had never been born. These are the words of Jesus Christ and they are very true!
There is only one way to Heaven so how hard is that choice?
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Joh 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
Judas then left:
Joh 13:31 Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
Jesus knew Judas had gone straight to the High Priest to tell His where abouts.
*****Our text:
Mat 26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
Mat 26:27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
Mat 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Mat 26:29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
Mat 26:30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
Mat 26:31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
Mat 26:32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.
Mat 26:33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.
Mat 26:34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
Mat 26:35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.
We now have the record of the Lord's Supper!
As they were eating the Passover meal, Jesus began something new.
This is my body. Not literally, as the Catholics and Lutheran say, but "represents my body." We interpret it as we do his other sayings: "The seed is the word," "The field is the world," "The reapers are the angels," "The harvest is the end of the world," "I am the door," "I am the vine." So, too, at this very feast, the Jew was wont to say of the lamb,
"This is the body of the lamb which our fathers ate in Egypt."
This ordinance of the Lord's supper is to us the passover supper, by which we commemorate a much greater deliverance than that of Israel out of Egypt.
It is the Apostle Paul, as he was lead by the Holy Spirit, that put this in words for the New Testament Church:
1Co 11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
1Co 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
1Co 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
1Co 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
1Co 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
1Co 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
1Co 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
1Co 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
The Lord Jesus took the unleavened bread and the cup of juice to picture His own death. The bread when it was broken is a picture of the Lord's "body" that was destroyed on that cross.
The "fruit of the vine" the juice of the grape is a picture of His blood that was shed on that cross paid for our redeemed souls.
There are many that would use actual wine in remembrance of this ordinance but they are wrong for doing so.
God never authorized the use of wine or any fermented drink for personal use in the Bible. In fact He says to not even look upon any such drink!
Pro 23:19 Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.
Pro 23:20 Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: Pro 23:19 Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.
Pro 23:20 Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:
Pro 23:29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?
Pro 23:30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.
Pro 23:31 [Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright].
Pro 23:32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.
Pro 23:33 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.
Pro 23:34 Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.
Pro 23:35 They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.
God will never go against His written Word! No believer should ever drink any alcoholic drink period!
This text does not indicate that anything special or mysterious happened to these two elements. They remained bread and juice but they now conveyed a much deeper meaning " the body and the blood of Jesus".
The Lord's Supper means to the New Testament Church for us to look ahead to the return of Jesus Christ to claim His Church.
The New Testament Church should observe this supper until He comes!
"This cup is the new testament in my blood: [this do ye], as oft as ye drink it, [in remembrance of me]"
The Passover Feast had looked ahead to the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the World.
Joh 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
The Lord's Supper is the celebration of the fact that this work of the Lord has been completed.
Joh 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
Joh 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
To use these things for any other purpose is to discredit what God set out to do and that is to pay our sin debt so we could join Him in Heaven at the death of our own flesh while still here on this Earth.
Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, [and washed us from our sins in his own blood],
Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Jesus added:
"I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom"
We know that the Bible says Jesus did eat again later but the Bible does not say He drank of the juice of the vine.
The Psalms that were sung during this Passover Feast were by tradition Psalms 116-118. They will give us all a blessing to sing them.
(Some portions of them)
Psa 116:13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.
Psa 116:14 I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.
Psa 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
Psa 117:1 O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.
Psa 117:2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.
Psa 118:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 118:14 The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
Psa 118:17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.
Psa 118:18 The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.
Psa 118:28 Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
Psa 118:29 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Even while Jesus Christ was rejected by His own people and was headed for the cross that very night He still took time to give God, His Father and ours the praise He deserves!
It was nearly two thirds of a mile to the Garden of Gethsemane from that upper room yet Jesus allows us to hear what the conversation was about as they walked.
Gethsemane means: "oil press". But Gethsemane has not come down to us as a scene of mirth; its inexhaustible associations are the offspring of a single event -- the "agony" of the Son of God on the evening preceding his passion.
We do normally point to Peter as the one that failed Our Lord but this scripture says specifically that all the disciples were involved.
The prophet Zechariah had written:
Zec 13:7 Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: [smite the shepherd], and [the sheep shall be scattered]: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.
Verse 32 says that Jesus at this point tells them again that He will rise after His death but we know that they were to tied up in their own selves to be taking in the words of The Lord.
Jesus said here that He would meet them in Galilee after His "resurrection"!
It was the angels that reminded them all of this after Jesus was buried and had risen.
Mat 28:7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
You know that tomb is still empty!
That cannot be said of Mohammed's tomb, nor Confusious's tomb nor any other so called messiah that has ever lived.
When Peter disagreed with the Lord, this was the beginning of his sin.
Anytime we disagree with what the Lord has said, WE ARE IN SIN!
You see Peter was unwilling to apply the Word of God to himself. Was Peter better than anyone else.
No, the Word of God applies just as it is written, rightly divided, to all our lives the exact same way!
Christ Jesus did not reassure Peter at this time but He did give him a warning. Had all these disciples just obeyed the Word of God and believed then Peter nor any of them would have had to deny the Lord.
Not once but surely not three times.
The Jews require a sign and Jesus gave Peter a sign that what He said was true. That cock crowed according to God's schedule!
*****Our text:
Mat 26:36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
Mat 26:37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
Mat 26:38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
Mat 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
Mat 26:40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
Mat 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Mat 26:42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
Mat 26:43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.
Mat 26:44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
Mat 26:45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Mat 26:46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.
The Bible gives us details of three gardens:
1.) The Garden of Eden:
We know that the first Adam was tempted and that he failed. This failure turned the first garden of paradise into a garden of sin. The way to the Tree of Life was blocked.
Gen 3:22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
Gen 3:23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.
Gen 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
2.) Here we have the Garden of Gethsemane:
The second Adam will resist all the wiles of the devil, all the weakness of the flesh, and the mental depression that comes from death. Jesus in Gethsemane turned this one into a Garden of Flowers for in it He prepared for man's redemption.
3.) We will all join together in the true Garden of Paradise where will again be full access to the Tree of Life:
Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Jesus Christ is that tree of life:
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Joh 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
Joh 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
When Jesus arrives at this garden He leaves eight disciples at the gate and takes three with Him.
This is not the first time he has taken these three with Him as this:
1.) Mar 5:35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?
Mar 5:36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
Mar 5:37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.
2.) Mat 17:1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
Mat 17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
Mat 17:3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
3.) Here in our passage.
These would be witnesses to these events.
They were told to watch and pray while He went about a hundred feet deeper into the garden.
Jesus places them saying:
"My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me"
We have no better place in the Bible that the evidence shows the full humanity of Jesus. He was one hundred percent God but He was also one hundred percent man. Jesus was man in every sense of the word.
Jesus Christ took on Himself our nature, apart from any sin, fully human with spirit, body and soul.
The "agony" described here is mental and spiritual!
What was the effect on His body?
Luk 22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
We can see that the body and the soul are intimately connected.
There is other proof in the Bible of this happening to a man:
Dan 5:5 In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.
Dan 5:6 Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.
This is again the reaction of the inner man on the outer man.
It is the same when we receive some horrible news of people we love. Our reaction will show on our outer features.
What caused that sorrow?
The sorrow that came over Jesus, the trouble in His soul was that He was very near His death on that cross. He was not accused of any felony for He was found innocent of all things by Pilate. Jesus was not guilty of but one thing.
"He was carrying my sin and your sin to that cross and in doing so He would, in that physical body of flesh, alienate His soul from God the Father in Heaven".
He knew that the sacrifice He would make joyfully would cause His Father to forsake Him.
Jesus Christ had to die a spiritual death, and spiritual death is absence of the soul from God.
George Washington prayed if he were to die to be shot as a soldier on the battlefield rather than be shot as a spy or traitor of an oppressing foreign nation.
George had no fear of death, he just want to die for America and not England.
The Apostle Paul wrote:
Heb 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
Heb 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
Heb 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Jesus Christ had no fear of death yet He did not want to die a death in which He would alienate His Father. Yet there was no other way!
It was in the obedience to the Father where the Son was made perfect.
To the Christian it is the same. It is the obedience to the Father through His Son that makes us perfect in the eyes of the Father.
To all other religions and their many ways to Heaven [we can see that there had to be a substitute].
There was no other way to save mankind!
God had said:
Eze 18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
Eze 18:20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
The Law of God says that He must be vindicated:
In order for mankind to be vindicated before a Holy God, in order for man to be redeemed, man's sin debt had to be paid.
There had to be a shedding of blood:
Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Jesus had said "if it be possible" and what we see is that it was "impossible" for salvation to the believer to come from any other way.
The cup that Jesus was to drink of was not allowed to pass!
1.) The omniscience of God could see no other way.
2.) The omnipotence of God could work out no other way.
3.) The omnipresence of God could get in touch with the sinner in no other way.
4.) A Holy and Just God could find no other way!
2Co 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
2Co 5:21 [For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin]; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
This was the "agony" Christ Jesus in His flesh had everyday!
Jesus prayed:
Mat 26:42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
Mat 26:43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.
Mat 26:44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
To be in the will of the Father in Heaven is always the right place to be.
The devil knew that the cross lay just before Jesus. The devil knew what the effect would be if Jesus got to that cross and then died there.
Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Joh 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even [so must the Son of man be lifted up:
Joh 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life].
Joh 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
Joh 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
The devil tried with all his might to get Christ Jesus to shrink back from the suffering that He must undertake. Jesus felt this "agony" but He had no fear of the devil.
In fact Jesus had these words:
Joh 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
Joh 10:18 No man taketh it from me, [but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again]. This commandment have I received of my Father.
It should be the same with all of us. It was that relationship with Our Father who Art In Heaven where we need to place our priorities.
Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
God says since the cross:
God adds:
1Jn 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
1Jn 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
1Jn 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
1Jn 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
1Jn 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in im, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
1Jn 5:15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
To complete your study of this passage read the Book Psalms chapter 102.
Jesus Christ gladly gave His life for us! All He ask is our reasonable service in return. How we not be obedient to the God who saves?
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Let's Pray!
