Year 9, Day 200: Matthew 26

Theological Commentary: Click Here

Matthew 26 is filled with an amazing amount of familiar stories.  Granted, we have entered into the crucifixion stories, stories with which Christians are usually familiar.  Here Jesus begins the final chapter of God’s grace given to us.

There is something unusual about these stories, however.  We know the rebellion, the violence, the legalism, and the trial.  What we often miss is how God is holy.  By holy, I mean different.  We fail to truly grasp the difference of God in these stories.

Of course, we know that God is different.  He has a plan nobody could imagine.  He plans to save humanity by dying.  That’s different, and it is also correct.  But that’s not what I mean.

Look at Jesus’ actions.  He is continually doing what is best for other people and not what is best for Himself.  He walks right into being handed over to the enemy knowing it was coming!  He doesn’t defend Himself against the false accusations of others.  He does ask God to let the cup pass from Him, but He doesn’t pursue the request.  His eyes are focused on God’s plan, not Himself.

On the other hand, look at the other characters in the story.  Judas wants some money.  Perhaps he is trying to force Jesus to prove Himself the Messiah, but even in that case Judas is still pursuing his own desires.

Look at the religious leaders.  They want Jesus dead.  They want Him removed from the sphere of influence in Jerusalem.  They want the crowds to be under their control once more.  They are focused on themselves.

Look at the disciples.  When someone comes to anoint Jesus, they only see the waste.  When Jesus asks them to pray, they can only focus on their need for sleep.  When Jesus is trying to talk to them about how the crucifixion is going to play out, they can only focus on their potential guilt.

Look at Peter specifically.  When Jesus is about to be arrested – having heard Jesus talk about what would happen on multiple occasions – Peter reaches out and cuts of the ear of Jesus’ opponent.  When trying to listen in on the trial, Peter is discovered and seeks to protect his own anonymity by denying Jesus.

As the crucifixion approaches, we see human beings looking out for themselves.  We see Jesus pursuing God.  That’s the difference.  That’s the holiness of Jesus.

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