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The Blood of the Covenant
The Blood of the Covenant Matthew 26:1-30 Key Verse: 26:28 "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." In today’s passage there are three main events that take place all leading up to Jesus death and resurrection. Each event tells us something specific about Jesus upcoming suffering, death and ultimate victory over sin, death and Satan. In the background we see evil men scheming to arrest, imprison and even murder Jesus. However, in the foreground we see two beautiful dinners that show us the type of relationship Jesus wants us to have with Him and Jesus’ whole-hearted, uncompromising love for sinners. May God bless our study of this passage and open our hearts so that we can be truly beautiful children of God in this generation through covenant blood of Jesus which frees us from bondage to Satan. First, wicked men scheme to secretly arrest and kill Jesus (1-5). Verse one tells us that Jesus had just completed the last of the five major discourses recorded in Matthew’s Gospel. These discourses were Jesus’ teachings for his disciples. Jesus taught his disciples many things mainly to prepare them for what was about to take place in following few days. Jesus knew that his time on earth was limited and about to come to an end, so Jesus had to teach his disciples how they should live and act once he was no longer with them in the body. As the approached Jerusalem for the final time, Jesus warned them, not once or twice, but three times what was going to happen when they got there – once in chapter 16 right after Peter declared that Jesus was the Messiah, once in chapter 17 just after the transfiguration, and once in chapter 20 right before James and John sent their mother to ask Jesus for the most honored seats in the kingdom of heaven. What was going to happen in two days’ time so important and would so shake up the disciples that Jesus took one final opportunity to tell them precisely what was about to take place. Look at verse 2. Jesus told his disciples plainly, "As you know, the Passover is two days away--and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified" (2). The Israelites celebrated the Passover from the time of Moses so they might remember God's grace of deliverance from bondage in Egypt. God delivered the Israelites not because they were holier than the Egyptians, they too were sinners. However, God spared them when they obeyed his command to put the blood of a lamb on the doorframes of their houses. By Jesus' time, they had celebrated the Passover for over a thousand years. It not only looked back into history, but also forward to its fulfillment by Christ. On this Passover, Jesus would be handed over to be crucified as our Passover lamb to save us from bondage to sin and Satan. 1 Corinthians 5:7b says, “For Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed.” Jesus sacrificed his life and shed his blood on the cross to set men free from bondage to sin and the devil, and to save us from the wrath of God. Whoever believes in the blood of Jesus receives salvation and true freedom. God wanted the Israelites to recognize his grace, thank him, and continue to live by his grace. If we look at verses 3-5 we see that chief priests and elders of the people were gathered at the palace of Caiaphas, the high priest. They were scheming to secretly arrest and kill him (3-4). They had to do it secretly because they were afraid of the people who recognized that Jesus had been sent by God. These chief priest and elders had also seen enough evidence to know that Jesus was at the very least a prophet sent by God, if not the Messiah that God had promised and that they had so eagerly been waiting for. However, they deliberately shut their eyes to the evidence that Jesus gave them and made a conscious decision to do everything in their power to silence Him. Instead of being the servants of God among the people, helping the people come back to God, they had become evil men, servants of Satan, trying to keep the people from the very person who could bring the people back to God. Though they intended it for harm, God would use it for the greatest good. Jesus' sacrifice as the Paschal Lamb would bring salvation to the world. Nothing can stop the will of God from accomplishing what He intends to accomplish. These evil men needed some inside help to accomplish their plans secretly, but more on that later. Second, a truly beautiful woman and some ugly disciples. That evening, while Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came and poured a jar of very expensive perfume on his head (6-7). This event or a similar event, is recorded in each gospel book, with variations. Matthew’s account is the briefest of all. Matthew and Mark tell us that Simon was known as Simon the Leper. Luke calls him Simon the Pharisee. Perhaps “Leper” and “Pharisee” were synonymous to Matthew. In Luke and John, the woman pours perfume on Jesus’ feet. But in this account she pours perfume on his head. Matthew, who sees Jesus as the King, portrays his anointing as king. This jar of perfume must have been very precious to this woman. It was very expensive. Why did she do this? In Luke 7, a woman pours perfume on Jesus out of gratitude that he forgave her sins. In John 12, Mary pours perfume on Jesus after he had raised her brother Lazarus from the dead. They expressed their love for Jesus because he had saved them out of his love. In all the accounts, thanksgiving toward Jesus overflowed in woman’s heart. This was her way of expressing this thanksgiving and love for Jesus. Voluntary, spontaneous, lavish giving is the fruit of Jesus' great love in a person's heart. However, when the disciples saw the woman, they were indignant (8). They called her act "a waste," and clamored that the perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor (9). They did not understand the woman's heart of love. They did not stop to consider that Jesus, the Son of God, was worthy of such an offering. Their minds, especially the mind of Judas, were fixed only on money. Jesus had perfume dripping from his head, and covering his clothing. He must have smelled overpowering. Yet the Bible gives no indication that he felt troubled by this at all. However, He was surrounded by disciples who were chastising the woman who had doused him. Anyone else might have felt embarrassed or burdened, but Jesus defended the woman's action, saying to his disciples, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me" (10). We should accept Jesus' definition of "a beautiful thing." Lavish love for Jesus is a beautiful thing, not a waste. After defending the woman, Jesus dealt with his disciples' objection. Look at verses 11-12. "The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial." In truth, Jesus cares for the poor and his disciples should also. However, at that moment, philanthropic work was secondary. It was the time for Jesus to prepare for his death on the cross. For this reason, the woman's act had unique beauty and significance. No one understood Jesus. No one seemed to know what was about to happen to him – not even His disciples whom He had told four times now. While people were indifferent and self-absorbed, Jesus was going to the cross to die for them. Jesus might have felt lonely and misunderstood as a human being. Then this woman expressed selfless love and gratitude to him. Jesus accepted it as the preparation for his burial; it became part of gospel history. Jesus honored the woman: "...wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her" (13). In contrast to the beautiful woman, Judas Iscariot--one of the Twelve--decided to betray Jesus. So he went to the chief priests and made a deal with them to hand Jesus over in exchange for thirty pieces of silver (14-15). Judas thought he could outsmart Jesus. He watched for his opportunity (16). But it was Jesus who prevailed for his own good purpose. Various explanations have been given for Judas' betrayal. Yet Matthew, especially John, indicate that love of money was Judas' reason. It should be a warning to us in today’s materialistic society. Everyday we see people only running after money and giving no thought to what Jesus has done for us. Such people may not think that they are doing anything wrong, but in reality they have fallen under the power of Satan and could easily fall into the situation Judas found himself in – thinking he could outsmart Jesus and get something for himself. In this part we learn how to please Jesus and participate in his work. It is to remember the grace of Jesus who died for our sins, and to serve him joyfully and gratefully, pouring out our treasures with a heart of love. Loving and sacrificial service should mark our family life, Christian ministry, vocation, school study, community service, and all we do. We can see many who are doing this in our fellowship. From a worldly point of view, giving up high paying jobs in order to stay closer to campuses to serve students with Bible study, or even traveling to a foreign country to do the same seems to be a waste. But to Jesus it is a beautiful thing and he promises to honor such people for all eternity. Second, "this is my body...this is my blood" (17-30). The time to celebrate the Passover came. The disciples wanted to know where to prepare it. Jesus did not give them an exact address. Instead, Jesus gave them a mysterious answer possibly in order to hide the location from Judas, so that he could not betray Jesus before this final, very important, supper. As Jesus instructed his disciples, he said, "My appointed time is near" (18). Here we see Jesus' faith. Outwardly, it seemed that Jesus was vulnerable to the plots of evil men. But Jesus did not think so. Jesus was sure that he was obeying God's will to give his life as a ransom for many. When we see the evil in the world, we can easily succumb to fear, thinking that dark forces rule. But God is at work in the midst of the darkest evil to bring about his glorious good. About three years ago, on July 20, 2012 there was a terrible shooting in a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado. 12 people were killed and 70 others were injured. It looked like Satan was in complete control of this terrible event, yet in the midst of it, God was working. One shooting victim, Pierce O'Farrill, had been praying for over a year to share God's love with others. He was wounded by three bullets, but none were fatal. After he was released from the hospital, he was interviewed on a major television network. He used that opportunity to share his faith in God Almighty, and to publicly forgive the murderer. He says he looks forward to sitting down with his shooter and telling him about Jesus and even praying for him. He believes it was God's answer to prayer. God is always good, and he uses all things for a glorious purpose. We can learn from Jesus to trust in God and his goodness and power in any adverse situation. As evening came, Jesus reclined at the table eating with the Twelve. He said, "Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me" (20-21). Jesus' words must have shocked the disciples. They became very sad and began to say to him one after the other, "Surely you don't mean me, Lord?" (22) Each one questioned his own heart. They did not want to betray Jesus, but they were not sure about themselves. If Jesus had indicated Judas at that moment, it would have been the end of his plot. But Jesus concealed the betrayer's identity, saying, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him" (23-24a). Jesus went on to warn Judas seriously: "But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born" (23-24). In spite of Jesus' effort, Judas did not repent. Judas ignored Jesus' warning, hardened his heart, and lied (25). He would go through with his betrayal. Jesus must have felt great pain in his heart, for he loved Judas. Yet at this very moment Jesus entered into a new covenant with his disciples. Jesus formed with them an unbreakable relationship, rooted in his love, which brought everlasting life and peace. Look at verse 26. "While they were eating, Jesus took bead, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, 'Take and eat; this is my body.'" Jesus associated the bread with his body. Jesus' body would be broken on the cross. It was to sacrifice himself for the life of his people. Jesus said in John 6:35, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." As we were made for God, our souls cry out for God's life in us. People try to fill this need with other things: human love, material things, pleasures of the world, and so on. But nothing satisfies. Only Jesus can give us the bread of life that satisfies our souls and gives us true peace. All we need to do is accept Jesus' body with faith. Look at verses 27-28. "Then he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'" Jesus associated the cup with his blood shed on the cross. Jesus shed his blood to forgive our sins. Sin is the real problem of every human being. Past sins condemn us, making us slaves of guilt and shame. Present sins bind us in slavery to powers that we hate. Future plans to sin cause us to forfeit blessings God wants to pour out on us. Sin makes us utterly miserable. Yet we are helpless to solve our sin problem. Money, education, willpower, psychology, and any other human means are futile against the power of sin. But Jesus' blood has the power to forgive us and cleanse us and to save us from the power of sin completely. Hebrews 9:14 says, "How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!" Through Jesus' blood we can stand before God as his children in a deep love relationship. God's love "always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres" (1 Cor 13:7). The love of God through the blood of Christ is the anchor for our souls. God takes hold of us and never let us go until he draws us to his heavenly kingdom. This was the hope Jesus held out for his disciples (29). This is our assurance in any kind of trouble or hardship in this world. When we have a blood covenant with Jesus we can also have true and lasting relationships with each other. Look at verse 30. After making a blood covenant with Jesus, the disciples sang and marched out to the Mount of Olives. Let's accept Jesus' blood of the covenant. |
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