This teaching is from Matthew 26:39-68
Come along as we see:
Who Jesus is and why we so desperately need Him
As we look at Jesus’ story of His arrest and trial, we will learn that Jesus is faithful and we are not, Jesus is fearless and we are not, Jesus is forthright and we are not.
Today’s story opens in the Garden of Gethsemane with Jesus having asked His disciples to stay awake while He goes to pray and share His heart with the Father. Jesus knows what is coming and asks the Father if there is another way - yet ends the prayer saying, “not my will, Father, but Yours.” Jesus remains faithful to accomplish the will of the Father.
As Jesus returns the 3rd time from praying to the Father He again discovers the disciples sleeping. He wakes them as the scene changes… we read next the betrayal by Judas as he point out Jesus in the crowd by kissing/greeting Him. Jesus is seized and arrested, yet He fearlessly goes with them, faithful to the will of God the Father.
Peter then cuts off the ear of one of the servants that was present and Jesus immediately heals the ear, telling Peter not to give into hatred.
Jesus doesn’t resist arrest and willingly steps into fulfilling the Scriptures. The prophetic words spoken in the Old Testament about Jesus are fulfilled and it is in seeing this fulfillment of His first coming, that we know what the Bible tells us of His second coming is truth, as well. Jesus will fulfill, one day soon, everything predicted in His return. There is so much more to come and we don’t want to miss it! What He offers is life forever with Him! Faith in Him delivers and saves us!
As Jesus is taken away His disciples abandon Him, leaving Him alone and deserted. He is brought before the High Priest, Caiaphas. Peter hangs back in the courtyard area. (A spot that comes into play in next week’s study!)
The Sanhedrin begin looking for evidence against Jesus. Two witnesses declare that Jesus said “I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in 3 days.” These were words spoken during the story of Jesus cleansing the Temple. Pastor shares some interesting insight into there being 2 times Jesus cleansed the temple and not just once. One at the beginning of His ministry and then again just days before His arrest. The temple cleansings bookend His ministry.
The High Priest asks Jesus to answer the change of destroying the temple and building it up in three days, but Jesus does not answer. Again displaying His fearlessness. He remains quiet.
Caiaphus seeing he doesn’t have enough evidence to convict Jesus, then demands that Jesus tells them, under oath of the Living God, if He is the Messiah the Son of God. Meaning: Are you making a claim to divinity (and this was a crime).
And Jesus answers, “You have said so.” And goes on saying, “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (Matthew 26:64) Jesus’ forthrightness in His answer describes who He Is by quoting Old Testament Scriptures (Daniel 7:13 and Psalm 110:1).
In His answer, Jesus is claiming Deity and thus convicts Himself. At Jesus’ words the High Priest tears His clothes (something that was only permitted when someone was blasphemous). Verses 65-66 continue, “Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, ‘He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” The crowd answered, “He is worthy of death.”
Our study ends with Jesus’ faithfulness and fearlessness as seen in verses 67-68: “Then they spit in Jesus’ face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?”
When we meet next the story of Jesus’ arrest and conviction continue with more for us to learn on who Jesus is! Join us!
Visit our website here
https://www.awakeusnow.com
Watch the video from our website
https://www.awakeusnow.com/matthew-discipling
Watch the video from Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOxHZDaamNk9DaM7h7LejJj7
Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.
We invite you to join us for our Sunday service every Sunday at 9:30am CT (live or on demand) here: https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service