Matthew 26:36-75 Jesus’ Passion: Part II

52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back in its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then should the scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” 55 At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber (lēstēs), with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. 56 But all this has taken place that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.

Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest Historical Context: – Succession of foreign rulers since return from exile (538 BC) – Brief period of independence under Hasmoneans as a result of rebellion against Antiochus IV Epiphanes

Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest Historical Context: – By time of Jesus’ public ministry, Rome had dominated Judea for about 90 years – Many of Jesus’ contemporaries were advocating armed rebellion against Rome It had worked against Antiochus Why not again?

Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest Historical Context: – The call for rebellion was rooted in nationalistic pride They believed the Jews were God’s favored people They believed He would never again let them be humiliated by evil pagans

Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest Historical Context: – This nationalistic pride also shaped their understanding of Messiah God would send his anointed one (Messiah/Christ), from the house of David, to restore Israel’s rightful place The Messiah would be a victorious, warrior king who would execute God’s judgment against the wicked pagan oppressors of Israel

Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest Historical Context: – Many believed their deliverance (salvation) would come through armed revolution (insurrection)

Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest Jesus would have none of this – Yet many of the religious leaders viewed him as a dangerous revolutionary Some really believed he was dangerous (cf. John 11:48- 49) Some used this charge as a convenience

Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest Despite Jesus’ rejection of this strategy, he was arrested and executed as a revolutionary (as a lēstēs; cf. 27:38) – Crucifixion was not used for petty crimes – It was used to deter revolution

Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest Jesus’ comments in 26:47-56 relate to this theme – He tells Peter to put his sword away – The statement, “all who take the sword will perish by the sword” is not merely a proverb about violence This is a prophetic announcement about the fate of Israel when it rebels (cf. the Olivet Discourse)

Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest Jesus’ comments in 26:47-56 relate to this theme – Jesus is contrasting the human plan of many of his contemporaries with God’s plan Jesus is willing to submit to a humiliating death for the sake of ‘his people’ (cf. 1:21; 23:37)

Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest Jesus claims his sacrificial death was a fulfillment of God’s plan as revealed in the ‘writings of the prophets’ (vv 54, 56) The only way for things to be ‘put to right’ was through his death

Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest Five lessons: – God is in control Even though Jesus’ death looked like a tragic mistake, it was part of God’s plan Even now when things appear to be ‘out of control’ we can have confidence that God is at work

Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest Five lessons: – God has made his plan known The people of Israel should not have been surprised by Jesus’ understanding of his messianic vocation They misunderstood because of their pride and selfish ambitions We tend to make the same mistake

Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest Five lessons: – Man has a tendency to substitute his plans for God’s plan The religious leaders of Jesus’ day misled the people because they were seeking their own agenda They rejected God’s understanding of who they were to be in favor of their own conception We tend to make the same mistake

Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest Five lessons: – God will accomplish his plan, his way Jesus says that ‘it must be so’ (26:54) God’s way appears strange when viewed from a self- centered, human perspective We too need to see the bigger picture

Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest Five lessons: – There is a need for a response Jesus was calling his generation to a new way of life He called them to repent of their way of life – Those who responded in faith and obedience would be blessed – Those who rejected his call would experience judgment We too must respond