A Day to Remember [Matthew 26]

These were Jesus' words during His last hours before His death:

1When Jesus had finished all these words, He said to His disciples, 2"You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man is to be handed over for crucifixion."

11"For you always have the poor with you; but you do not always have Me. 12"For when she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial.

18And He said, "Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, 'The Teacher says, "My time is near; I am to keep the Passover at your house with My disciples."'"

 

 24"The Son of Man is to go, just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed!

 

 26While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is My body. "27And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you; 28for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.

 

32"But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee."

 

38Then He said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me."

39And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will."

 

42He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, "My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done."

 

53"Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54"How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?"

 

63But Jesus kept silent and the high priest said to Him, "I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God." 64Jesus said to him, "You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN."

 

 75And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, "Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly.

 

This is Jesus' last day on earth.  His words during that day were packed with rich insight, most of which was lost on the disciples until much later.  What do we learn from His words? He was tenderly trying to prepare His followers for what was to come.  He reminded them often that the Scriptures had foretold the events that were about to unfold.  He was also aware of what He personally was about to endure in order "for many to have forgiveness of sins."

 

In His emotional struggle and sorrow we also see His embrace of the Father's will.  The peace that envelops Him as He laid aside His own will is evident as He walks through the events of the night.  

 

May we with grateful hearts, lay down our will and embrace what the Father has for us today.   "For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in His steps.  He did not commit sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth; when reviled, He did not revile in return; when suffering, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to the One who judges justly." ( 1 Peter 2:21-23, Holman CSB. Emphasis added.)

 

P.S.  While reading Matthew I was intrigued with this Peter who wrote those words above.  He was mentioned by name a number of times.  I went back and wrote down all the specific things about him and put it together in a blurb called, "Who Is Peter?'  It was very insightful to see his growth in his relationship with Jesus.  You can read it on the website under Community, under "Leader's Pearls of Wisdom."