Preparation for Burial,
Betrayal and Passover
Theme of Matthew: “Behold your King
is coming to you” (Zech.9:9; Mt.21:4-5) CHARTING THE COURSE FOR THIS STUDY Ø Jesus foretells His death a fifth
time (vv.1-5) Ø A woman in Bethany prepares Jesus for burial (vv.6-13) Ø Judas and the chief priests prepares to betray Jesus (vv.14-16) Ø Jesus and His disciples make preparation for the Passover
(vv.17-19) JESUS FORETELLS HIS DEATH A FIFTH TIME (Matthew 26:1-5//Mark 14:1-2//Luke 22:1-2; cf. Matt.16:21; 17:12,22-23;
20:17-19)
A. Matthew 26:1 may be the
conclusion and introduction to the fifth and final section of Matthew. B. A good argument can be made that
Matthew is divided into five sections similar to the five books of Moses. 1. Matthew begins with the word genesis which is also the title of the
first book of Moses (LXX). 2. The structure of Matthew may be
around the phrase, “When Jesus had finished…” (Matthew 7:28; 11:1; 13:53;
19:1; 26:1). These five repeated
formula are the Christian counterpart to the five books of the Torah. They also echo the closing of the Torah:
C. Perhaps Matthew desires the
church to see itself as continuing the work of Jesus on earth (Great
Commission) just as Joshua took Israel into the Promised Land. D. Matthew mentions other
similarities between Moses and Jesus: 1. Attempt on life at birth. 2. Exodus from Egypt (Matt.2:13-15;
Exodus 4:22-23; Hosea 11:1) 3. Wilderness 4. Mountains 5. Passover, death of Firstborn
(Matthew 26:20-35) E. Matthew’s structure may be
another way of saying that Jesus is the fulfillment of Deuteronomy
18:15,18,19 (cf. Acts 3:22-23) What book of the Old
Testament does verses 3-4 echo? A WOMAN IN BETHANY PREPARES JESUS FOR BURIAL (Matthew 26:6-13//Mark 14:3-9; cf. Luke 7:36-50; John 12:1-8)
Psalm 23:5 (NASB95)
This little five-inch-in-diameter jug was
uncovered near the Dead Sea in 1988.
It was buried three feet deep in a cave near Qumran (where the Dead
Sea Scrolls were found) and contained oil from a plant now considered to be
extinct. An article from The New York Times (2/16/ 89) states,
“Israeli archaeologists … have discovered what they believe is a
2,000-year-old jug of once-fragrant oil of the kind used to anoint the kings
of Judah.” (Bible and Spade Volume 2:3 [Summer 1989] p.95). Which disciple wasn’t
really concerned about the money going to the poor? (v.9)
What are the parallels
between the woman’s act of devotion and Jesus’ institution of the Lord’s
Supper? (Matthew 26:6-13 with 26:14-29) How might the church use
this account since Jesus said, “wherever this gospel is preached in the whole
world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her”
(v.13//Mark 14:9). LESSONS: (1)
Who would have ever thought that an act so seemingly trivial and wasteful in
the disciples’ eyes would be so highly praise by our Lord! Therefore, “we ought to estimate our works
not by the opinion of men, but by the testimony of the word of God” (John
Calvin). (2)
“Who but Himself had the power to ensure to any work of man, even if
resounding in his own time through the whole earth, an imperishable
remembrance in the stream of history? Behold once more here, the majesty of
His royal judicial supremacy in the government of the world, in this, Verily
I say unto you” [Stier quoted
in Jamieson, Fausset, Brown. A commentary, critical and explanatory, on
the Old and New Testaments). (3)
“The gospel and Mary’s beautiful deed, the message of salvation and the
response of gratitude for salvation received, these two must never be
separated.” (Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. Vol. 9: New
Testament commentary: Exposition of the Gospel According to Matthew
p.901). Is your zeal and love
for Jesus the same as this woman’s? Do we now have opportunities
to lavish honor and love upon Jesus? Compare this woman’s
anointing of Jesus with the reaction of the high priest and Sanhedrin in
vv.65-68? JUDAS AND THE CHIEF PRIESTS PREPARE TO BERAY
JESUS (Matthew 26:14-16//Mark 14:10-11//Luke 22:3-6; cf. Matthew 17:22;
20:18; Exodus 21:32)
What seems to have
been the trigger event that led to Judas’ betrayal? Zechariah 11:12 (NASB95) Was Judas an
“unconscious hero” of the faith? Should we give Judas “credit” for getting
the wheels turning in the work of redemption?
After all, if there weren’t a Judas would there be a cross? About how much was the
perfume worth that the woman poured out on Jesus? (Mark 14:5) How much was Jesus sold for?
Judas is thought to
have received Tyrian shekels among his “pieces of silver” (G. L. Archer;
picture W. S. LaSor; in The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia,
Revised II:1152) LESSONS: (1)
Just being in the presence of God’s people is not enough to save. We must love Jesus and apply His Word to
our lives. (2)
Humility. Many great men and women have
fallen from great heights, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed
that he does not fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12) (3)
Prayer. “Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.” (4)
Satan entered into Judas while Judas was in the presence of Jesus (cf. John
13:27)! There is no place that we can
put ourselves in this world that will hide us from the devil. We must take refuge in God alone and wear
the full armor of God! (5)
A righteous rebuke exposes the true nature of a person (Psalm 141:5; Proverbs
1:22-27; 9:8; 17:10; 19:25; 25:12; 27:6; Ecc.7:5; Gal.6:1). NEXT
WEEK: Ø When was the Passover celebrated by
Jesus and the disciples? Ø What are we are eating in the Lord’s
Supper? What did Jesus mean by, “this is
My body…this is My blood?”
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