Matthew 26:1-4
‘When Jesus had finished all these words, He said to His disciples, “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man is to be handed over for crucifixion. “At that time the chief priests and the elders of the people were gathered together in the courtyard of the high priest named Caiaphas; and they plotted together to arrest Jesus covertly and kill Him.‘
It’s finally happening. God’s plan of redemption is to be completed. Jesus will go to the cross and be put to death for the sins of the world. John 3:16 will be fulfilled, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” God is about to give up His only Son.
The problem began in the garden when Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit. Thus separating them from God in life and in death. God gives a hint of this redemption just a few verses after the fall, “And I will make enemies of you and the woman, And of your offspring and her Descendant; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise Him on the heel”, (Genesis 3:15). The Descendant is Jesus. He will crush the serpent and Jesus’ bruise is the crucifixion.
His plan to redeem us was complicated and took thousands of years to complete. It began with the calling of Abraham and the choosing of the nation of Israel. He called them out and brought them to their land. Famine came and forced them to Egypt. Many miracles had to happen to deliver them. One of them was a type of this future redemption. It was the angel of death passing over the houses which had lambs blood sprinkled over the door post of the houses. Jesus would eventually become that lamb. Those that accept His sacrifice have His blood sprinkled over them. Eternal death will not phase them.
Through Moses the Law was given. It gave them God’s code, but was a reminder of their falling short. Thus needing forgiveness. A short term solution was the system of animal sacrifice. This taught them that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins, (Hebrews 9:22).
God gave them time to live under this system. Peter sums up the experience in Acts 15:10, “Now then, why do you test God by placing on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?”
We couldn’t save ourselves and this temporary method was burdensome. Galatians 4:4 says, “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, having been born of a woman, having been born under the Law”. Jesus came at the right time. Some Jews accepted Him, but most didn’t. Thus a shift in God’s plan is implemented by the message going to the gentiles.
The apostles grieved when Jesus said He was leaving them. He gives His an interesting response in John 16:7, “But I tell you the truth, it is profitable for you that I should go away; for unless I go away the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” In bodily form Jesus could only be at one place at a time. While the Spirit can be everywhere at the same time. We all receive His comfort at the same time. Wow! Thank You, God.
We can now be forgiven and reconciled to God. When we die we will be with Him forever. God’s plan of redemption is complete. Unfortunately it required Jesus to go to the cross and be put to death. We are at that point in today’s passage.
This death is the sacrifice for our sins. The horror of it can’t be imagined. We see Jesus’ fear in the garden of Gethsemane. He sweat blood. He will be arrested, questioned by an unfair process, beaten and crucified. We see only the physical. I am certain the spiritual torture was far worse. It had to equal to what we all had to feel for all eternity. I’m not sure how that’s possible, but I know that God is able.
Thank You, Lord. Thank You, Jesus for being willing to go to the cross for us. Thank You, Father for being patient with us. Thank You, Spirit, for the many outreaches You did.
