Matthew 26:47-68
Jesus is arrested and brought to the high priest and the Jewish court, the Sanhedrin. The mocking begins.
In Matthew 26, again we see several aspects played out here
from the parable of the wedding feast.
We see those that spitefully hate, abuse and desire to murder the
bridegroom. We see those who are passive
and do not want to be involved. And finally, we see Judas.
Judas has been with the Lord, has heard his teaching, seen
his miracles, and yet still betrays him.
In the amplified Bible, the word used for the kiss is “pretend warmth”
toward Jesus. Clearly, whatever the
reason, Judas must not have fully bought in to the idea that Jesus was
Lord. Maybe he allowed one thought to
lead to two until it had given birth fully to sin. Judas doesn’t have the excuse that he never
knew Christ. He was very familiar with
his ways. However, he wasn’t immune to
being used by the opposition, just because he was part of the 12. Did Judas ever believe? Did greed overtake his heart? Regardless of why, certainly, he had a change
of heart in the end as he repented of what he had done.
Jesus experiences rejection from all of his disciples. They were his closest friends. They had been with him from the beginning of
his ministry, but they still abandoned him.
He was given the same sentence as a murderer or a thief. He hung on the cross and said nothing in his
defense. He took the position that we
should have had. The position of the man
who came improperly dressed to the wedding feast. He was sentenced to death and he offered silence as to an excuse.
Jesus took on our sins so that we could be clothed in
Him. We can enter in to the wedding
feast because of His sacrifice, His Kingdom has come.
Romans 13:14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus
Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Amy Norris
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47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve,
arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the
chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a
signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 Going at once to
Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.
50 Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”
Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him.
51 With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and
struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him,
“for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot
call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve
legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say
it must happen in this way?”
55 In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a
rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every
day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56 But this
has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then
all the disciples deserted him and fled.
57 Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the
high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. 58 But
Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest.
He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.
59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking
for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60 But
they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.
Finally two came forward 61 and declared, “This fellow said,
‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’ ”
62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you
not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against
you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent.
The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the
living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”
64 “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of
you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the
Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has
spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard
the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?”
“He is worthy of death,” they answered.
67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their
fists. Others slapped him 68 and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?”
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