Matthew

Chapter 26 – The Passion of Christ

It is a commonly held theory that the passion accounts were the first parts of the Gospel written having the rest of the books grow up around the main event of Jesus life and ministry. The Passion and resurrection of Jesus is where the entire story of the Christ leads as it is in the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus that event of Jesus’ ministry is fulfilled – that is brought to fullness. Jesus once again predicts is coming death, this time within the span of 2 days. In the background, Matthew reminds us that the chief priests and the scribes are plotting a way to arrest Jesus and bring him to sentence.

Jesus is prepared for his burial

Matthew accounts how “a woman” anoints Jesus with very expensive ointment. Note: In Matthew’s account, there is no apparent motive on the part of the woman, nor does she have a name. She simply meets Jesus at the home of Simon the leper and anoints him with the ointment. Jesus’ disciples complain about the action from the aspect of the expense of the ointment. They complained that many poor could have been fed with the money that it cost for that ointment. Jesus defines the woman’s actions as a service in preparation for Jesus’ burial. “The poor you always have,” Jesus reminds them." It is not to be so with Jesus' presence. The woman’s actions are accounted as deeds that will be recorded and passed down from generation to generation.

The Scene is Set

It is time for Passover and Jesus is about to eat the Seder with his disciples. They seek the place and set up the table. Jesus locates the place through prophetic command, the disciples find the place, and the meal is in place.

The Plot – Jesus is going forward into arrest and death by the hands of those who betray. They all question, “Is it I.” Jesus’ hidden words indicate that “one who dipped his hand in the bowl with me” will do it. As we look at all of the disciples, they all dipped their hand in the bowl. As the story unfolds, we find that all have betrayed Jesus in one way or another. Judas, however, is the primary culprit as he has entered into a pact with the Jewish establishment and determined the time and the place for the arrest. In the question and answer period, Judas asks, “Surely not I.” Jesus knew his betrayer who would hand him over. Jesus’ address to his betrayers is dark. “Woe the one who betrays the Son of Man. It would be better that he would not have been born.” Those are troublesome words as each of the disciples around that table took their turn at betrayal. Surely, we too must take out place in the line of those who betray Jesus. It is our sin, after all, that put him on the cross.

Jesus took the Bread and cup – This is the first aspect of the Seder. Unleavened bread is broken with the words, “this is the bread of the affliction.” Normally there is a prayer of thanksgiving and the bread is broken and shared. Jesus redefined the shared bread. “This is my Body given for you for the forgiveness of sins.” Jesus also takes a cup (four times in the Seder) and this time redefines the cup. “This is my blood shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.” The Words of Institution as we call them serve a duel purpose. 1) Jesus gives his disciples a sacramental participation in his death and resurrection every time they follow his command, eat, and drink. 2) They place Jesus into the action of the saving act depicted within the Passover celebration. This meal recalled and celebrated the salvation that God has prepared for his people as he led them out of Egypt and subsequently out of death to life. Jesus places himself, his death, and his resurrection at the center of God’s saving action. Untruth, Jesus’ actions are the central issue in the saving acts of God.

The Arrest – Jesus and his disciples, after dinner, go out to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. This is to become the scene of the crime. “You will all become deserters.” Jesus through the account of Matthew once more states that they who dipped their hand in the bowl will desert him. Matthew provides biblical justification for their acts of retreat. The prophet Zachariah 13:7 prophesied that the shepherd will be struck and the sheep will scatter. The end of this fiasco will however be a return. Jesus will meet them in Jerusalem after he has risen. Once again Peter simply can’t imagine that such a thing could happen. He swears life lone allegiance to Jesus even if it means death. Jesus calls Peter back to reality. You are going to desert me and deny me three time before the cock crows.

Jesus Struggles with His Humanity – His Divinity wins out - This is an important scene for all of struggle with humanity. This warfare is tufted out on all sides in the garden. For the disciples, its all too much and they fall asleep while Jesus asked them to pray with him. Jesus wrestles with God about the possibility of “this cup” passing from him. In his pain and suffering, nonetheless, God’s will wins out. If there is no other way for the work of God to be accomplished, let it be then. Jesus surrendered to the will of God for the good of God’s plan and ultimately for the good of the world. Jesus accepted death so that world could life.

Jesus Play out the Will of God – In one final effort, the disciples try to stop what is happening. One of the disciples grabs a sword and cuts off the ear of a slave of the high priest. Jesus heals the man on the spot. His words are words of God’s will. “Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled?” In this there is to be no rescue. This is the work of God being acted out. Jesus is the primary player in the drama of eternal life that is unfolding and no one is allowed to stop that act. These actions must be play out and everyone must take their places in the drama unfolding.

Trial before Caiaphas – The trial is a travesty. False accusation and statements that mean relatively little about Jesus’ ability to tear down the temple and build it again in three are substance of the testimony against Jesus. None of these words are enough to convict. They were even based in misunderstanding that Jesus wasn’t talking about the Temple, but his own body, which would be torn down and raised on the third day. Outside testimony would not convict. Jesus own words would seal his fate. Caiaphas asked, “Are you the Son of God.” Jesus answers, “I am,” and then backed himself up with the Book of Daniel 7:13 with the prophecy of the Messianic Son of Man who would come and lay the kingdom before the feet of God. The words of fulfillment that reflect Jesus as the Messiah are the words that brought the death sentence upon him. The judgment is passed and the sentence is pronounced.

In the background, outside in the courtyard, Jesus’ words about Peter’s denial are working themselves out. Peter is pointed to three times as “one with Jesus.” Three times, he demands, “I don’t know the man.” The cock crows. Peter weeps. The night is over and the new day is about to open on the final day of Jesus.

Wednesday, January 31, 2007