Matthew 26 is definitely a rich chapter. It leads us from the plot to kill Jesus to his arrest. However, it is the in between in this chapter that speaks to me.
A few points to ponder:
1.Mary's anointing of Jesus.
a.Vs. 7 says it was a "very" expensive perfume. Basically it was not a bottle of Old Spice (no offense to the Old Spice users) that was not being used and so she could afford to dump it, but rather it was a precious ointment that was to be valued. Our value is not in the material that we obtain in life, but rather our value is in how we live our life. If we allow ourselves to be poured out on what really matters in life, we will see ourselves transformed into his image. The perfume had no form until it was poured out and it was only at that point that it took on the shape of the object upon which it was poured, Jesus Christ.
b.It is through selflessness and sacrifice that promotion comes. If we seek promotion, as Judas did, we will be abased, but if we can become selfless and we are willing to sacrifice … Jesus himself proclaimed that Mary would be remembered for this act and it would server as a memorial of her.
c.This act of worship and respect was revealing in more than what was in Mary's heart, but it revealed the hearts of those around her.
Selflessness and sacrifice will many times be misunderstood. It is when we allow a carnal attitude or spirit to take over that we begin to perceive sacrifice as something other than what it is. Let us not be critical of those that around us and if we are let's check ourselves for a wrong attitude, spirit or motive.
2.The Last Supper.
a.Memorial Day – I find it interesting that Jesus established a memorial prior to his death. He established the significance of his body and blood. Now I know symbolically that was established in the Old Testament long before the last supper, but this was a new pattern of memorial that Jesus established.
The act of communion has always been sacred to me. The significance of the memory and the sobriety that comes with it always leaves me with a feeling of unworthiness. I am glad that communion is more than a tradition or a common occurrence. I am thankful for the significance it holds for us as Christians.
b.Betrayal and Forgiveness – I am always amazed when I read this story. The ultimate betrayal meets the ultimate forgiveness in the setting of this passage. Jesus, in preparation for the ultimate sacrifice for sin, acknowledged the betrayal in the room, but extended the opportunity to share in the memorial of his death. It was almost as though he was trying send a message that his broken body and shed blood was meant for his betrayer as well as his denier (Peter). Jesus did his part of offering forgiveness and he left it up to them to do theirs.
3.Gethsemane
a.Agonizing – I see the humanity of Jesus as he begins pray for the will of God in hopes that the bitter cup be taken from him. I also see the submission to the will of God, when he says 'nevertheless not my will but thine be done'. How many times have I/we agonized over situations in our life only to stop short of submission in our prayers. I ask God to take the bitter cup and I claim my victory and deliverance from situations, but never stop and consider submission to the will of God. Sometimes his will takes us through some painful circumstances that we will never understand. Oh, but how sweet it is on the other side of the challenges and circumstances. It may be dark at times and the thunder may roll and it might even feel as though the earth is shaking beneath us, but when we are in total submission to God we can know and take comfort that the darkness, shaking and trembling are part of his will being manifested in our lives.
4.Peter's Denial.
a.Afar off - Peter vehemently disputed Jesus claim that he would deny Jesus. He was probably hurt that Jesus would even suggest such a thing. How could someone so close to Jesus even be suspected of denying him.
Vs 58 says that Peter followed him at a distance. The more space we allow between God and us, the easier it is to set him aside when the occasion is right. Peter followed close enough to see what was going on, but was far enough away to not be suspected as a disciple. I want to stay as close to him as I can so there is not mistaking to whom I pledge my allegiance.
There were so many additional points that I could have rambled about. However, since I tend to get long winded in my typing, it is best that I stop here.
Jeff McGee
