Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."

5. How did he find the disciples when he returned? v.40

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter.

6. What did he instruct? v.41

"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

7. How many times did all this happen? v.42-45

He went away a second time and prayed,......So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

B. Think:

1. What are we told about how Jesus felt in Gethsemane ?

2. What is clear by the way he prayed?

3. How are the disciples shown?

C. Comment:

Jesus knows the time is rapidly coming when his time of trial will be upon him. So what does he do? He gives us a classic example. When you face a crisis, go and talk to the father about it.

It is as he prays that we see his humanity revealed most clearly. He does not want to go through this. He is a human being and he does not relish pain and rejection. But perhaps there is another dimension, perhaps he knows that in this ordeal he is going to be separated from the Father in heaven, and that has never happened before in all of eternity! No wonder he is in extreme anguish, no wonder he sweated in prayer (Lk 22:48). The greatest motivation for prayer is a crisis, and it was as true of Jesus as it is for us.

In this passage we're simply told that Jesus divided the disciples into two groups, taking Peter, James and John on with him, yet all of them fell asleep. Luke tells us (Lk 22:45 ) that they fell asleep “exhausted from sorrow”. They sensed the awfulness of the moment but the strain was so wearying they fell asleep. Jesus encouraged them to wake and pray for themselves for they also were going to go through a difficult time, they also needed strengthening.

D. Application:

1. In a crisis? Pray! Is prayer the first thing we naturally do then?

2. Facing a difficult time? Pray and let your spirit be strengthened.

Chapter: Matthew 26:36-75

Passage: Matthew 26:45-50

A. Find Out:

1. Of what was Jesus aware? v.45b,46

Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"

2. Who then arrived? v.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.

3. What signal had Judas agreed with the soldiers? v.48

Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.

4. So what did Judas then do? v.49

Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him.

5. What did Jesus reply? v.50a

Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came for."

6. What then happened? v.50b

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him

B. Think:

1. What is clear in this passage about Jesus' awareness?

2. Who are the arresting crowd representing?

3. What obviously do they expect?

C. Comment:

We now move into the darkest moments of the Gospels. Jesus is about to be betrayed, arrested and falsely tried and then put to death unjustly. It starts with the betrayal and arrest.

The first thing to observe is that Jesus is quite aware of what is going on. Now we have had clear indications of this previously (26:2,12,21,25) and now it becomes even more obvious. Jesus knows Judas has gone and arranged to betray him, and even now is coming to do that. In every way Jesus is completely aware of what is going on!

When he does arrive, Judas comes accompanied by a large armed crowd. So, we note first it's a large crowd and an armed crowd, so they obviously expect opposition. They have no clue that Jesus will surrender himself peaceably, knowing this is all part of God's plan. We note also that they were sent by the religious and secular leaders. They actually represent the whole of society, the whole of mankind, who reject the Son of God. Jesus comes with an embrace, a sign of closeness, of intimacy, of friendship which makes it even worse, for this is the sign to the others who they must arrest. In reply Jesus addresses him as “friend”. There is no animosity in the Son of God, he knows this is the outworking of sin and he's come to die for it.

D. Application:

1. Jesus is always totally aware of every situation.

2. Jesus doesn't reject us in our failures, he came to die for them.

Chapter: Matthew 26:36-75

Passage: Matthew 26:51-56

A. Find Out:

1. Who then did what? v.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.

2. What did Jesus instruct and teach? v.52

"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.

3. What did he say his Father could do? v.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?

4. Why according to Jesus was this happening? v.54

But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?"

5. When did he say they could have arrested him? v.55

At that time 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.

6. So why again, according to Jesus was this happening? v.56

But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.

B. Think:

1. Read Psa 22:1 & Psa 69:20,21 These are just 2 examples.

2. Why was Jesus “confident” in the situation?

3. What lesson is there, therefore, for us here?

C. Comment:

As Jesus is arrested, John tells us (Jn 18:10 ) Simon Peter struck out with his sword, and the ear of the servant of the high priest is severed. Luke tells (Lk 22:50 ,51) us that Jesus then performed a miracle and restored the ear. Even in the midst of this he exercises the power of the Father for the benefit of mankind!

But that is not all. He takes the opportunity to teach! First of all he warns them that this is not the way, for those who resort to violence will die by violence. Violence never achieves anything good. Anyway, he continues, if this was the way, my Father in heaven has hosts of angels to send on my behalf. No, he says, this has to be like this to fulfil the many Scriptures that declare the will of the Father, the plan established from before the foundation of the world (e.g. Jn 17:24 , 1 Pet 1:20 , Eph 1:4, Rev 13:8).

The primary thing that is being revealed here in this passage is that same truth that comes over again and again: Jesus was completely aware of what he was doing and what would happen because it had been previously agreed and seen in heaven, that he knew that this is how it would work out, including the desertion of his disciples which now takes place. God's plan IS being fulfilled.

D. Application:

1. God's ways are different from ours. They are perfect!

2. God's plans were worked out before He made anything!

Chapter: Matthew 26:36-75

Passage: Matthew 26:57-63

A. Find Out:

1. Who were waiting for Jesus? v.57

Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled.

2. What were they looking for? v.59

The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death

3. Yet what happened? v.60

But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.

Finally two came forward

4. What did two false witnesses claim? v.61

"This fellow said, `I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.' "

5. Why did the high priest chide Jesus? v.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?"

6. Yet how did Jesus respond? v.63a

But Jesus remained silent.

B. Think:

1. How is this courtroom shown to be bad?

2. Why was the claim being made obviously foolish?

3. Why do you think Jesus remained silent?

C. Comment:

Jesus is now taken before the authorities, the high priest, the teachers of the law and the elders of the people, in other words before the spiritual and secular leaders of Judaism. This totally good man is being paraded before those in authority whose lives have been shown up for what they are- a sham! And they're out to get him! It is clear that they are looking to find any sort of evidence that can be turned against him. They have trawled the area for people who have watched him and listened to him. They are looking for something he said that might be construed as wrong. Frankly, they want him dead! But even for them that is not easy. They obviously need something that is either blasphemy (in their eyes) or rebellion (in the eyes of Rome ).

The best they can come up with is Jesus figurative claim to rebuild the temple in three days (see Jn 2:19 -22). Now the temple that was a stone building was massive and so it would be clear to anyone with an ounce of sense that he could not be claiming to destroy and rebuild the physical temple building. To use this as evidence against Jesus is absurd and so Jesus simply remains silent. Sometimes it is better to remain quiet and let the truth be seen for what it is. This is a wrongly motivated and biased court. Truth and justice are absent here!

D. Application:

1. When men's motives are wrong, truth goes out the window!

2. When men are angry, integrity is easily compromised. Beware!

Chapter: Matthew 26:36-75

Passage: Matthew 26:63-68

A. Find Out:

1. What did the high priest demand of Jesus? v.63

The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God."

2. What was Jesus' reply? v.64

"Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."

3. What did the high priest declare this to be? v.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.

4. What did he ask and what did the others reply? v.66

What do you think?" "He is worthy of death," they answered.

5. What did they do to Jesus? v.67,68

Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, "Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?"

B. Think:

1. How was the high priest getting Jesus in a corner?

2. Read Dan 7:13 ,14 What was Jesus conveying by his answer?

3. Why might the high priest's anguish be considered hypocrisy?

C. Comment:

The witnesses have failed to bring up any wrong in Jesus so now the high priest gets to the hub of the matter: are you actually the messiah? Yes, says Jesus, that's exactly who I am! And to push the message home he uses the prophetic imagery that Daniel had used to describe the messiah, one coming with God on the clouds. This particular prophecy is particularly challenging as it puts the Coming One at God's right hand, a place almost of equality.

For the high priest this comes as utter blasphemy, that this “man” should equate himself with God. This is something the Jewish scholars had never contemplated about the messiah. So the priest tears his clothes in a show of utter anguish that God's name should be taken in vain in such a way. Yet on the inside this man must have been rejoicing, for they had been looking for a way to condemn Jesus to death and this gave them the excuse. The only problem was that under Roman rule the Jews did not have the power to execute the death sentence, only the Romans, so they will have to persuade the governor.

We have a completely unrighteous, hypocritical situation being run by the tope men of Judaism. They came with wrong motives, they sought false evidence and now they condemn without authority and abuse Jesus was simply affirming who he was. THIS is sin!

D. Application:

1. Unrighteous men will simply make excuses to achieve their ends.

2. Unrestrained sin is a horrible thing to observe.

Chapter: Matthew 26:36-75

Passage: Matthew 26:69-75

A. Find Out:

1. Where was Peter? v.58,69a

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.

Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard

2. Who first approached him and said what? v.69b

a servant girl came to him. "You also were with Jesus of Galilee," she said.

3. What was his response? v.70

But he denied it before them all. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said.

4. Where did he then go and who said what? v.71

Then he went out to the gateway, where another girl saw him and said to the people there, "This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth."

5. Who then later came and said what? v.73

After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, "Surely you are one of them, for your accent gives you away."

6. What was his reaction on these two latter occasions? v.72,74

He denied it again, with an oath: "I don't know the man!" Then he began to call down curses on himelf and he swore to them, "I don't know the man!"

7. What happened & caused what in Peter? v.74b,75

Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: "Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly

B. Think:

1. Why do you think Peter denied Jesus?

2. How was this a fulfilment of what Jesus had said?

3. How do you think WE deny Jesus today?

C. Comment:

In today's passage we have the exact fulfilment of Jesus prophecy about Peter (see 26:34). Now this doesn't mean that God made this happen but simply that He knew it would happen. Peter is quite responsible for his actions, just like we are.

Something in Peter feels bad about what has happened and so he follows the crowd at a distance, even into the courtyard of the high priest's palace. The fact that he followed at a distance indicates something of his fear in what was happening. For Peter everything is out of control. When Jesus had told him this was going to happen ( 16:21 ,22) Peter just couldn't cope with that thought. Now it has happened his mind is in disarray. So when various people come up to him and identify him as one of Jesus' followers, he hasn't the moral stamina to speak up and declare his allegiance. He fears for his own life as well as Jesus'. Let's note two things about this: first, we'd probably have acted similarly in those circumstances. Don't look down on Peter, he was just caught up in circumstances beyond his control and acted badly - just like we do! Second, this wasn't the end for Peter. There was yet to be a forgiving and reconciliation (see Jn 21)

D. Application:

1. We all fail at some time. But occasional failure is not backsliding.

2. There is forgiveness for the occasional lapse.

RECAP: "Arrest, Trial & Denial" Matthew 26:36-75

SUMMARY :

In this third group of 6 studies we have seen :

- going to Gethsemane to pray

  - where his disciples fall asleep

- being arrested there,

  - having been betrayed by Judas

- being taken before the Sanhedrin

  - who are clearly out to condemn him, whatever!

- being disowned by Peter

  - three times as predicted by Jesus.

COMMENT :

The drama moves on in terrible stages. At every stage the sin of man is revealed: the disciples cannot support him in Gethsemane , Judas leads the arresting force, the religious leaders abuse the truth, Peter denies his Lord. We cannot condemn them for we are frail and do the same, yet condemn we must, for they were all wrong. This we, as part of the human race condemn ourselves and in so doing ,we reveal our need of the Cross to which this process was taking Jesus.

LESSONS?

1. I let Jesus down in prayer – but he loves me.

2. I fail to stand up for him – but he loves me.

3. He went through a false trail – because he loves me.

4. He was betrayed and denied – because he loves me.

5. He died on the Cross – because he loves me!

PRAY :

Thank the Lord for the wonder of his love for you that took him through these awful times to an awful death. Ask him for his strength that you will stand firm and true in the face of unrighteous opposition and be faithful to his love for you.

PART 4 : "Trial, death and burial"

In this next Part we'll see the remorse of Judas, the weakness of Pilate, the horror of the soldiers and the crucifixion, the events at the death of Jesus and then his burial and guard. Awful and yet amazing. See that you catch both aspects.