“The Stage is Set”

Last week we looked at the plot to destroy Jesus, the Anointing at Bethany, and the exposure of the betrayer from among Jesus’s closest followers. This week we will see the stage being set for the Crucifixion of Jesus. It is easy for us to be judgmental as we study scriptures 2000 years later. The truth is that each of us is capable of being complicit with the betrayal of the One we call Savior.

Examination: (Why?)

1. A Startling Announcement

Mt 26:26-35 “26 As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take and eat it; this is my body.” 27 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he gave it to them and said, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 But I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” 30 After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus said to them, “Tonight all of you will fall away because of me, for it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered. 32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” 33 Peter told him, “Even if everyone falls away because of you, I will never fall away.” 34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to him, “tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 ‘Even if I have to die with You’, Peter told Him, ‘I will never deny you,’ and all the disciples said the same thing.”

The Passover Feast with Jesus and His disciples had been progressing as usual until…Jesus took a piece of unleavened bread (symbolic of being without sin) and tore it and instructed the disciples to eat it because it represented His body. I’m sure that the disciples did not catch the significance of His statement at the moment, but later they would recognize that His scourged and crucified body was indeed torn…and it was not for anything that He had done. Although the eating of unleavened bread was a part of the feast, Jesus’s announcement brought new significance to it. His body, which was without sin, would be torn as part of their and our redemption.

During the Seder Feast there were four times that wine was sipped. Each time called to mind an act of God on behalf of His people.

1. The Cup of Sanctification – based on God’s statement, in Ex 6:6 “6 “Therefore tell the Israelites: I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from the forced labor of the Egyptians and rescue you from slavery to them. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and great acts of judgment.”

2. The Cup of Judgment or Deliverance- based on God’s statement, “I will deliver you from slavery to them”

3. The Cup of Redemption – based on God’s statement, “I will redeem you with an outstretched arm”

4. The Cup of Praise or Consummation – based on God’s statement, “I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God.”

All of these cups refer to God’s actions on behalf of His people as mentioned in Exodus six. Most likely it was at the drinking of the 3rd cup (redemption) that Jesus said, “For this is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Though they were commemorating the OLD Covenant, Jesus’s announcement meant that no longer would there by an animal’s blood shed for the remission of sins, but from then on it would be His blood.

Once He had said this, they sang a hymn from Psalm 118 and then departed across the Kidron Valley to the Mount of Olives. Upon arriving there Jesus made another startling statement. He said that all of the disciples would abandon Him that very night, and even though Peter and the other disciples all vehemently declared that they would never abandon Jesus, they were not prepared for what would happen later in the evening. It is easy for us today to declare our commitment to Jesus, but the day may come soon when such a declaration will result in imprisonment or even death, and we may find ourselves singing a different tune.

2. An Agonizing Prayer

Mt 26:36-46 “36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he told the disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 He said to them, “I am deeply grieved to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me.” 39 Going a little farther, he fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” 40 Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He asked Peter, “So, couldn’t you stay awake with me one hour? 41 Stay awake and pray, so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, a second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And he came again and found them sleeping, because they could not keep their eyes open. 44 After leaving them, he went away again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more. Then He came to the disciples and said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and resting? See, the time is near. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up; let’s go. See My betrayer is near.”

The agony of the Passion of Christ began in the Garden of Gethsemane, before the first lash was laid to Jesus’s back or the first nail driven into His hands and feet. In His own words Jesus said, “I am deeply grieved to the point of death.” As usual Luke gives us a deeper look into what happened. In Luke 22:44 “44 Being in anguish, he prayed more fervently, and his sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.” A thorough search of the medical literature demonstrates that such a condition, while admittedly rare, does occur in humans. Commonly referred to as hematidrosis or hemohidrosis,6 this condition results in the excretion of blood or blood pigment in the sweat. Under conditions of great emotional stress, tiny capillaries in the sweat glands can rupture,7 thus mixing blood with perspiration. This condition has been reported in extreme instances of stress.8 During the waning years of the 20th century, 76 cases of hematidrosis were studied and classified into categories according to causative factors. The most frequent causes of the phenomenon were found to be “acute fear” and “intense mental contemplation.”9 While the extent of blood loss generally is minimal, hematidrosis also results in the skin becoming extremely tender and fragile,10 which would have made Christ’s pending physical insults even more painful.” (Apologetics Press)

Few, if any of us have experienced such emotional intensity in prayer. It is uncommon today to find people weeping as they pray. Consequently we can’t grasp the depth of the intensity of Jesus’s agony in the Garden.

3. Was Judas Alone?

Mt 26:47-56 “47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, suddenly arrived. A large mob with swords and clubs was with him from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 His betrayer had given them a sign: “The one I kiss, he’s the one; arrest him.” 49 So immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. 50 “Friend,” Jesus asked him, “why have you come?” Then they came up, took hold of Jesus, and arrested him. 51 At that moment one of those with Jesus reached out his hand and drew his sword. He struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus told him, “Put your sword back in its place because all who take up the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Or do you think that I cannot call on my Father, and he will provide me here and now with more than twelve legions of angels (72,000)? 54 How, then, would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?” 55 At that time Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs, as if I were a criminal, to capture me? Every day I used to sit, teaching in the temple, and your didn’t arrest Me. But all this happened so that the writings of the prophets would be fulfilled. Then all the disciples deserted Him and ran away.”

Every Easter we replay the act of betrayal by Judas in the Garden of Gethsemane. We are usually judgmental toward Judas, while at the same time we are no better than he. Just as the disciples did in the latter part of v 47, we often “cut and run” in the face of personal persecution because of our faith. We excuse ourselves for our unwillingness to stand up for Biblical principles in the public square, or to give a verbal witness for Christ. If I were to ask at the close of this service for people to come forward and share their personal testimony of faith, even in this friendly atmosphere, there would be few, is any, who would respond. No, Judas was not alone. Every day those who call themselves followers of Christ not only deny Him as Peter did, but betray Him by refusing to witness to His saving power.

Application: (How should I respond to this message?)

Today I’m asking that you examine yourself regarding your surrender to Jesus. If you find that you are lacking in your witness for Christ, I urge you to publically come up here and stand by me. By doing so you are saying I will stand with and for Christ in my neighborhood, this community and wherever the opportunity arises.

If you have never surrendered to Christ, today should be your day. Come and tell me that you are giving your life to Christ today and let me pray with you.

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