Four Perspectives On The Way To The Cross | Matthew 26:1-16

Scripture

• Matthew 26:1–16

About this sermon

Introduction: One notable feature of Matthew’s gospel account is the way he brings his discourses to a close. He ends with a formula that indicates that the discourse was finished, sometimes gives a summary of the effect of that discourse, but then he transitions to the next section of his account. At the end of the sermon on the mount (chapters 5-7), we read this beginning at verse 28. ESV Matthew 7:28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes. You see the same kind of formula at the end of other sections where Matthew records the teaching of Jesus. ESV Matthew 11:1 When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities. ESV Matthew 13:53 And when Jesus had finished these parables, he went away from there, ESV Matthew 19:1 Now when Jesus had finished these sayings, he went away from Galilee and entered the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. So, when Matthew comes to the end of the Olivet discourse, he announces the end of it, and transitions us to the next part of his witness. What he transitions to is the final leg of Christ’s journey to the cross. Here is what He came into the world to do. Here is what He has been aiming at all along. Here is what He has been preparing His disciples for. Three times Jesus has prepared His disciples for His suffering and for His death and resurrection. ESV Matthew 16:21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. ESV Matthew 17:22 As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, 23 and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day." And they were greatly distressed. ESV Matthew 20:18 "See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day." Now Jesus prepares them again. As He does, Matthew’s account gives us FOUR WINDOWS INTO ATTITUDES AND ACTIVITIES LEADING UP TO CHRIST’S ARREST AND TRIALS AND DEATH. These four pictures are meaningful, not only because they happened, but because they represent spiritual situations and conditions that are STILL associated with Jesus. Jesus is always at the center of every person’s destiny. Whether during the time of His earthly sojourn, or during the time when we await His second coming, Christ is the decision point. Jesus is the foundation stone upon which men and women’s lives are built, or the stumbling stone upon which they are destroyed. The spiritual conditions of men and women still reflect what we see in these four situations. • THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE SHEPHERD (Courage) (vs.1-2) — The Prophecy of His Death Once again, the Shepherd is taking care of His men. This entire section is full of irony. Jesus has just declared what He will do when He comes again, but now He declares what He must endure before He’s finished and leaves. When He comes again, He will come in glory. He will come with all authority. He will judge the whole earth. And yet, the one who just spoke of His judgment of the world is about to be judged. The will who will come again in glory will be delivered up (handed over) for the humiliation of crucifixion. The one who will judge the earth with perfect JUSTICE will die the death of a criminal. The one who will come with all authority will be questioned and then convicted as though He had no recourse. AND HERE HE IS, WITH THE STRENGTH AND DIGNITITY THAT WERE HIS, TELLING HIS DISCIPLES EXACTLY HOW LONG HE HAS. HE TELLS THEM WHEN HIS DEATH WILL OCCUR (two days). HE TELLS THEM WHAT HIS DEATH WILL BE ASSOCIATED WITH (the Passover). HE TELLS THEM HOW HIS DEATH WILL OCCUR (crucified). What is the perspective of the Shepherd on His way to the cross? IT IS THE PERSPECTIVE OF COURAGE. IT IS THE PERSPECTIVE OF CALM RESOLUTION. Jesus is the Great Shepherd of the sheep who lays down His life for His flock. John 10:12–16 (LSB)

Topics

• Jesus Christ