Matthew 26

Matthew 26:1-13

Chapter 77 A Good Work Done for Christ “And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples, Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified. Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him. But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people. Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.

When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.” (Matthew 26:1-13) Commenting on this passage, J. C. Ryle wrote, “We now approach the closing scene of our Lord Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry. Hitherto we have read of his sayings and doings. We are now about to read of his sufferings and death. Hitherto we have seen him as the great Prophet.

We are now about to see him as the great High Priest.”I would not exalt one portion of Scripture above another; but the last three chapters of Matthew’s Gospel, along with the accounts given by Mark, Luke, and John of our Savior’s sufferings and death as our Substitute, ought always to be read with peculiar reverence and careful attention, and ought to be read often. This truly is “holy ground.” Here we see the Seed of woman crushing the serpent’s head. Here we see that one great Sacrifice to which all the sacrifices of the Old Testament pointed. Here we see that blood shed which “cleanseth us from all sin,” and that Lamb slain who “taketh away the sin of the world.” In the substitutionary death of our Lord Jesus Christ the Holy Spirit shows us how God can be both just and the Justifier of the ungodly. The things contained in these chapters are of such peculiar importance that all four gospel narratives contain a detailed account of them. Frequently, with regard to other matters, when one of the gospel writers refers to something, the other three say nothing about it; but when it came to the events surrounding our great Savior’s great sacrifice for sin, the Holy Spirit inspired all four Gospel writers to describe that event of all events in great detail. The Message of the Bible “And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples, Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified” (Matthew 26:1-2). — Throughout his earthly ministry the Lord Jesus carefully and constantly called the attention of his disciples to his sin-atoning death at Calvary. The connection of these first two verses with the preceding chapter is not accidental. Our Redeemer had just been talking about his glorious second advent, the end of the world, the day of judgment, and the eternal states of the righteous and the wicked. Then, without the least pause, he directs our attention to his own crucifixion and death. While the wondrous predictions of the end were still ringing in their ears, he tells his disciples once more of his sin-atoning death. He reminds them that before he reigns as the King of Glory, he must die as the Substitute for sinners. Before he takes his crown of universal monarchy, he must endure and satisfy the wrath of God as our sin-offering. Before he could sit down on the right hand of the Majesty on high, he must put away the sins of his people by the sacrifice of himself. We can never attach too much importance to the sin-atoning death of our Lord Jesus Christ. The focal point of Scripture, upon which our minds ought to ever be fixed, is the death of Christ. Without the shedding of his blood, there is no remission of sins. This is the foundation doctrine of Holy Scripture. Without it there is no gospel in the gospel. Without the doctrine of the cross, the Bible is a meaningless book. It is, as Ryle stated, “like a clock without a dial or a spring, a building without a foundation, or a solar system without a sun.” We must never minimize our Lord’s incarnation, fail to follow his example, ignore his parables, forget his miracles of mercy, or despise his words of instruction; but he intends for us, above all things, to makes much of his cross. I delight to think of his second coming, heavenly glory, and the day when our God shall make all things new; but these things, great and glorious as they are, are meaningless without our Savior’s death upon the cursed tree. The doctrine of the atonement is the master-truth of Holy Scripture. This is and must be our daily bread. “Christ died for our sins!” What can be more marvelous? What can be more inspiring? What can be more instructive?

Some, like the Greeks of old, sneer at this message and call it foolishness. Others, like the Jews of Paul’s day, looking for signs and wonders, stumble over it and perish; but to those who are saved by the grace of God, Christ crucified is the power of God and the wisdom of God. The message of the Bible is the gospel of Christ’ substitutionary atonement (Luke 24:27; Luke 24:44-47; 1 Peter 1:25). That is the message God’s servants are sent to preach (1 Corinthians 2:1-2). The sacrifice of Christ for us is the motive and inspiration for devotion, faith, godliness, worship, and obedience (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). The doctrine of the cross is the glory of the redeemed (Galatians 6:14). Vicious Hypocrisy “Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him. But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people” (Matthew 26:3-5). What a display we have here of the hypocrisy and viciousness of self-righteous, lost religionists! Little needs to be said about these men. They were lost, religious zealots. They were the religious leaders of the day. They spent their lives in religion. They did all that they did in the name of God. But they were lost. And you can mark this down, as a general rule, the most vicious people in this world are lost religionists. Here are “men of the cloth,” as they say, consulting on the business of trumping up an excuse for murdering the Son of God because they despised his doctrine; and they did it in the name of God! Weak Brethren God’s people in this world are sinners still. And we all, at different times and in different ways, behave in such a way that we make manifest what weak, sinful creatures we are. Such shameful weakness we see in the response of our Lord’s faithful disciples to the humble devotion of another, as she bows before and worships the Lord Jesus. “Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor” (Matthew 26:6-8). Remember, these were our Lord’s disciples: loving John, bold Peter, and faithful James. They, along with the rest, were indignant at this dear women; but they were led astray by the actions of one wicked man, whom they mistakenly respected. When Judas spoke against this woman, so did the others (John 12:4-5). Judas was probably the most prominent and highly respected man in the church at this time. His word and opinions carried weight. Observing the bad behavior of these saints, as it is recorded here, we should learn two things and lay them to heart. First, we should never harshly and rashly condemn one another when our weaknesses are manifest. Frequently, genuine believers are led into evil actions by the influence of others, actions which are contrary to their character. I do not excuse the evil done by these disciples. It was a horrible thing that they did to this woman. But their actions did not reflect their true character. Second, self-denying, self-sacrificing acts of devotion and commitment to Christ are seldom understood by others, not even by other believers. Can you imagine how shocked this woman was when she heard the response of her brethren to what she had done? She only intended to honor her Lord. She wanted to show, in some public way, how much she loved him and how thankful she was for his goodness and grace to her. The sad fact is, if you are committed to Christ, if you are inclined to do some unusual thing for his honor and the interest of his kingdom, because of your love for and gratitude to him, you need not expect the approval of others. Others will always consider that which is done for Christ a waste. Honored of Christ Others rarely recognize and honor that which is done for Christ, that which is truly done for Christ. But God our Savior declares, “Them that honour me I will honour” (1 Samuel 2:30). And he honored this woman who honored him. “When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her” (Matthew 26:10-13). In these verses our Lord Jesus shows us what high regard he has for anything that is done for him. Others found fault with what she had done; but the Master quickly rebuked the fault-finders and honored the woman. Those who honor him, he will honor. Not only did he approve of her sacrifice and accept it, he gave her the highest honor imaginable in this world for what she had done. He called her work a good work (Matthew 26:10). She had done what she could, what she was able to do and had opportunity to do for him. And our Savior established her work as a memorial to be proclaimed throughout the world (Matthew 26:13). Since Christ was pleased with what she had done, I am sure this dear soul was indifferent to the opinions of others about what she had done for her Lord. Their opinions mattered nothing. Her faith, love, and devotion to Christ gave her courage and boldness in the face of opposition. If I am conscious that I am doing something as unto the Lord, for the glory of Christ, in the interests of his kingdom, and for the furtherance of the gospel, the opinions of men, either their approval or their disapproval, are of no consequence to me. As David said to his envious, cowardly brothers, we ought to say to those who would oppose our work for our Master. — “Is there not a cause?” If we would serve Christ, we simply must not allow the opinions of men to rule, or even influence our actions (John 2:5; Galatians 1:16). This woman is held before us as a noble example to follow. Our Lord holds her up as an example of what we should be and do as his servants in this world. Let me show you several things about what this dear lady did, by which her work shows itself to be indeed a good work done for Christ.

1. It was a work done for the glory of Christ alone. — She was wrapped up in, absorbed with, and consumed by the Lord Jesus Christ. She cherished him. This perfume was meant for no one but him. She had no regard for herself, the consequences of her actions, what she might lose, or what she might gain. She wanted nothing but to honor Christ.
2. This was an act of pure love. — This is exactly what Luke’s narrative of this event teaches us (Luke 7:36-50). The one thing that motivated this woman to do what she did was love for Christ (1 John 4:19; 2 Corinthians 5:14). When our hearts and lives are ruled by love for Christ, they are well ruled.
3. This was a work requiring considerable cost, self-denial, and sacrifice. — If you read the accounts of Mark and John, you will find that this ointment was worth nearly a year’s wages (300 pence - Compare Matthew 20:9-13).
4. This great sacrifice was the result of thoughtful, deliberate preparation. — This was something she had been planning for some time. She had been saving this rich, costly perfume specifically to use it for Christ’s honor at the appropriate opportunity (John 12:2).
5. This woman’s sacrifice was made silently. — She said nothing; she drew as little attention to herself as she possibly could. She said nothing about what she would like to do, what she planned to do, what she was doing, or what she had done. She just did what she could.
6. This was the response of a believing heart to the sacrifice of her Lord. — This woman appears to have been the only one of the Lord’s disciples who clearly understood at the time how he must accomplish our redemption by his death as our Substitute.
7. This was an act of faith. — She anointed him for his burial, but she did so in anticipation of his resurrection (Isaiah 53:10-12). The primary object of embalming was and is a belief in the resurrection of the dead. I see in this incident a blessed foretaste of the honor that shall be given to God’s elect on the Day of Judgment. In that great and glorious day, no honor done to Christ shall be forgotten. The speeches of orators, the feats of warriors, the deeds of the greatest politicians, the trophies of athletes, the poetry and literature and art produced by men, all shall be forgotten; but this work, and the least work of any and every believing man and woman, even the giving of a cup of cold water in Christ name shall be remembered and honored before men by God himself! So do what we can for our Redeemer and his honor as he gives us opportunity (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 15:58).

Matthew 26:14-25

Chapter 78 Lessons From the Betrayer “Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him. Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover? And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.

Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I? And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I?

He said unto him, Thou hast said.” (Matthew 26:14-25) Commenting on this passage, C. H. Spurgeon wrote…“What a contrast to the incident we have just been considering! The anointing of Jesus is to be the theme of admiration wherever the gospel is preached, but his betrayal by Judas will be a subject for execration to all eternity. It was one of the twelve, who went unto the chief priests, to bargain for the price of his Lord s betrayal. He did not even mention Christ’s name in his infamous question, ‘What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you?’ The amount agreed upon, thirty pieces of silver, was the price of a slave, and showed how little value the chief priests set upon Jesus, and also revealed the greed of Judas in selling his master for so small a sum.

Yet many have sold Jesus for a less price than Judas received, a smile or a sneer has been sufficient to induce them to betray their Lord. Let us, who have been redeemed with Christ’s precious blood, set high store by him, think much of him, and praise him much. As we remember, with shame and sorrow, these thirty pieces of silver, let us never undervalue him, or forget the priceless preciousness of him who was reckoned as worth no more than a slave.”Matthew 26:14-25 is the divinely inspired record of one of the blackest events in the history of the world. There is no greater evidence of the wickedness that is in man than that which is revealed in the character and conduct of Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of our Lord. These verses speak of things we would all prefer not to consider; but they are written here for our instruction. And if God the Holy Spirit will be our Teacher, we will find much in them that will bring joy to our hearts.

I want to show you five lessons to be learned from them. The Word of God First, these verses clearly establish the fact that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. You might ask, “Where is that taught in this passage?” The inspiration of Scripture is established by the precise fulfillment of the prophecies of Scripture. Here we once more see Old Testament prophecy fulfilled to the letter, not by one who was attempting to bring honor to the Word of God, but by one who was inspired by the devil himself. The Scriptures clearly predicted that our Savior would be betrayed by one of his most intimate companions, one who ate bread with him. — “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me” (Psalms 41:9). The Old Testament specifically prophesied that the Lord Jesus would be betrayed for thirty pieces of silver, which would then be cast down in the temple, and that the money would be used to buy a place in the potter’s field (Zechariah 11:11-13). Ever reverence the Bible as the inspired Word of God. This Book alone is God’s Word. This Book alone is authoritative in the church and kingdom of God. This Book alone is our rule of faith and practice. This Book alone is able to make us wise unto salvation. Treasure this Book. Seek to know this Book. Believe this Book. Obey this Book. Religious, but Lost Second, we learn by the example of Judas Iscariot that a person may enjoy great religious privileges and make an impressive show of religion and yet be an unregenerate reprobate. Judas Iscariot was religious, but lost. He had the highest possible attainments and privileges of outward religion. He was a chosen apostle and companion of Christ. He was an eyewitness of the Lord’s miracles. He heard the gospel from the lips of the incarnate God, ate at the same table with him, and dipped his bread in the bowl from which the Master himself ate. Judas saw things that neither Abraham nor Moses could see. He heard things that neither David nor Isaiah ever heard. This man lived in the society of the Lord Jesus and his apostles. He preached with Peter, James, and John. Yet, Judas was a lost man. He was, it appears, a man of highest reputation and esteem among men. He appears to have been a man who was, in outward appearance, quiet and unassuming. We read of very little that he ever said or did; but he was trusted by all to be the treasurer of the early church. When the Master said, “One of you shall betray me,” no one suspected Judas. Yet, Judas was a hypocrite. Like Lot’s wife, Judas Iscariot is held before us as a beacon. Think of this base, vile man often. Do not ever imagine that he was outwardly wicked. He was not. Outwardly, he was an example of what men call “purity,” “holiness,” and “godliness.” But Judas was a devil. Whenever we think of Judas, we ought to pray, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalms 139:23-24). Do not be content with mere outward religion. Do not be satisfied with the approval of men. Make certain that your religion is a matter of the heart, a union of your very soul with the Son of God, by faith. Spurgeon warned, “A man may get very near to Christ, ay, may dip his hand in the same dish with the Savior, and yet betray him. We may be high in office, and may apparently be very useful, as Judas was, yet we may betray Christ.” The Root of All Evil Third, the Holy Spirit shows us here a vivid picture of the fact that “the love of money is the root of all evil.” I cannot conceive of a clearer proof of this fact than Judas Iscariot. The wretched question, “What will ye give me?” betrayed the evil that ruled his heart. Judas had given up much to follow Christ. Outward sacrifices he was prepared to make. But he could not and would not give up his covetousness. Money was his god. Money ruled his heart. His every thought was about money. His every word was about money. We have many illustrations of the corrupting influence of the love of money. It is not the lack of money or the possession of money that is the root of all evil, but the love of money. It was for money that Joseph was sold into Egypt, Samson was betrayed by Delilah, Gehazi deceived Naaman and lied to Elisha, Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit, and Judas betrayed the Son of God.Be warned, the love of money will destroy your soul. If ever it gets control of you, it will harden, paralyze, freeze, and sear your heart and conscience. It destroyed Judas; and it will destroy you and me, if ever it gets hold of our hearts. “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Be wise and pray daily, “Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me.” They that will be rich in this world often find in the end, like Esau and Judas, that the bargain they made was the worst of bargains. Having said all that, it must be recognized that many have betrayed the Son of God at a far lower price than the thirty pieces of silver for which Judas bargained. Many, especially those who claim to be preachers, have sold him for no more than the smile and approval men! Our Sovereign God Fourth, these verses give us a very clear revelation of the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior, is the sovereign God of the universe. Notice the language our Savior used to speak of Judas’ betrayal of him. He speaks not as one who was alarmed, or even slightly disturbed by the things he knew were about to transpire, but as One who is in total control of the circumstances and people around him. This Man who was about to be betrayed was and is the eternal God who made, and ruled, and disposed of his betrayer. His divine omniscience is evident in the fact that our Master knew what his disciples would do, what the certain man in the city would do, what Judas had done and what he would do. He knew it all because he predestinated it all and controlled it all. His divine dominion is seen in the fact that the man whose house he would use for the observance of the passover would readily obey his will. We read in Matthew 26:18-19, “And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.” His divine purpose is clearly stated in his assertions, “My time is at hand,” and “The Son of man goeth as it is written of him.” Everything and everyone in this world is moving according to precise schedule to a predestined end. Everything and everyone, even the actions of wicked men, the very demons of hell, and the devil himself do nothing to thwart, hinder, or even disturb God’s purpose. They are only his servants, used by him to accomplish his purpose (Psalms 76:10; Romans 8:28-30; Romans 11:36). Even Judas was an instrument in the hands of our God for the accomplishment of his gracious purposes of redemption and grace for his elect. Nowhere is the fact of our Lord’s absolute and total sovereignty seen more clearly than in the events surrounding his betrayal and crucifixion (Acts 2:23; Acts 4:27-28; Acts 13:28-29). Better Not To Have Been Born Fifth, our Lord Jesus here teaches us that it would be better never to live at all than to live and die without Christ. Our Savior said, “The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born” (Matthew 26:24). Judas stands before us in the Word of God as a glaring warning. He would this day give anything simply never to have been born. Judas is in hell! He lived and died without Christ as an unbeliever and an enemy of God. Now he suffers the wrath of God in hell. So, too, shall you if, like Judas, you live and die without Christ. Be warned. If you are yet without Christ, you are just like Judas. Your heart is exactly the same as Judas Iscariot’s (Matthew 15:19). You may be taken captive by Satan at his will, and led by him to do things you never dreamed you were capable of doing (2 Timothy 2:26). Unless you repent, unless you look to Christ by faith, you shall be with Judas forever in hell, suffering the terrible wrath of almighty God. Let us never forget what we are by nature, where we were and where we were headed when God saved us by his matchless, free, and sovereign grace (Isaiah 50:1-2). Let us ever give thanks to our God for his sovereign dominion of all things, and for his infinite mercy toward us. If we believe, it is because God the Father loved us with an everlasting love and chose us to be his own, God the Son loved us and gave himself for us, and God the Holy Spirit loved us and gave us life and faith in Christ.

Matthew 26:26-35

Chapter 79 The First Communion Service “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom. And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.

Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.” (Matthew 26:26-35) By God’s purpose and by his providence, the Jewish passover of the Old Testament melted into the Lord’s Supper as the stars of the night dissolve into the light of the rising morning sun. The ordinance could not have been established with greater simplicity. There was absolutely nothing of ceremonial pageantry about it. “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body” (Matthew 26:26). — With those simple, unpretentious words, our Master established the blessed ordinance of the Lord’s Supper. He knew all that was before him. He knew what he must suffer. He knew what would happen with his disciples. He knew the turmoil that was coming. Wisely and graciously, he chose this last quiet evening before his crucifixion to bestow this parting gift to his church.

How precious the memory of this night must have been to those disciples every time they met around the table afterward! Yet, the misunderstanding and abuse of this blessed ordinance has been the cause of strife, controversy and division, and of much heresy throughout church history. How sad! If there is anything that ought to unite all who profess faith in Christ, the Lord’s Supper is it; but sinful men have so perverted the teachings of Christ regarding this ordinance that it has become a opportunity for controversy to many, rather than an ordinance of communion. Let every saved sinner seek grace to observe this blessed ordinance as it was originally established. Indeed, if we would worship God in the observance of this ordinance, or in the observance of any other, it must be observed as it was established by our Lord. The Elements It is needful for us to understand the meaning of the elements our Lord used to give us the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper. Our Savior simply took the unleavened bread and wine of the passover supper and incorporated them into the elements to be used in the Lord’s Supper. He said, concerning the bread, “this is my body,” and concerning the wine, “this is my blood.” We need to understand the meaning of those words. Error concerning the meaning of our Lord’s words can lead and has lead men to serious, deplorable idolatry and superstition. Papists tell us that the bread and wine literally become the body and blood of Christ. In the mass the priest pronounces his mumbo-jumbo, waves his hands, and pretends to magically transform the bread and wine into Christ’s body and blood. Thus, the mass becomes, in the idolaters’ minds, a sacrifice, a recrucifixion of Christ to make atonement for sin! Luther taught that the bread and wine were mystically and spiritually transformed into the body and blood of Christ, so that the elements themselves became holy and conveyed grace to the communicants. Many today have a view similar to Luther’s. They attach a pagan, idolatrous meaning to the bread and wine of the Lord’s Table. I have friends who used to bury any bread and wine that was left over after communion. They had been taught that once it was consecrated, it could never be used again. Others make the ordinance (Christ’s established symbol of his finished work) to be a sacrament (a means by which grace is conveyed to the soul). Without question, the meaning of our Lord’s words is this: “This bread represents my body. This wine represents my blood.” There is absolutely no indication that he meant any more than that. Frequently, in the Scriptures something is said to be what it merely represents simply because there was no term in the Hebrew language to express symbolism. Though the New Testament was written in Greek, it retains the idiom of the Hebrew. Words like “signify,” “denote,” “portray,” “typify,” or “represent” are not found in the Old Testament. Here are some examples of things being said to be what they, obviously, only represent. Genesis 40:12 – “The three branches are (represent) three days.” Genesis 41:26 — “The seven kine are (represent) seven years.” Daniel 7:24 — “The ten horns are (represent) ten kings.” Matthew 13:18 — “The field is (represents) the world.” Revelation 1:20 — “The seven stars are (represent) the angels of the seven churches, and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are (represent) the seven churches.” The Bible is full of expressions similar to these, which we would never think of taking in a literal sense. Good sense demands that they be interpreted allegorically. Our Savior is called “the Lamb of God,” “the Door of the sheep,” “the Lion of Judah,” and “the Vine.” No one would ever think of saying that he is literally those things! And no one, whose mind has not been perverted by religious nonsense, would ever imagine that the bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper are anything but representatives of our Redeemer’s body and his blood. All you have to do is taste the bread to know that it is bread, not flesh! All you have to do is drink the wine to know that it is wine, not blood! The unleavened bread represents the holy human body of our Savior. We dare not use soda crackers or light bread. Our Lord used unleavened bread for a reason. Leaven represents sin; and our Savior had no sin. Therefore, he used unleavened bread to represent his body. The wine represents his precious, sin-atoning blood. Many today have found excuses for using grape juice, kool-aid, and other things in the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. But no excuse will justify such perverse behavior in the house of God. Wine is used because, like the unleavened bread, it is free of corruption, and thus a proper representation of our Savior’s blood. In Matthew 26:28 our Lord tells us four things about his blood. He says it is “my blood” (Acts 20:8), the blood of that man who is God: infinitely meritorious blood, sin-atoning, precious blood. This is “the blood of the new testament,” the everlasting, new covenant (Hebrews 13:20). His blood was “shed for many.” It was not shed for all, but for many; the many who are the objects of his mercy, love, and grace; the many who are redeemed and saved by it. His blood was shed “for the remission of sins.” There was no other way by which God could, in his holiness, justice, and truth, forgive the sins of his people. Only by the shedding of Christ’s blood can he be both “a just God and a Savior,” both just and the Justifier (Isaiah 45:20; Romans 3:24-28). When we come together around the Lord’s Table, we should take great care to focus our attention on the incarnation, life, and death of Christ as our Substitute. That is what is represented to us by the unleavened bread and wine. The Purpose When he established the Lord’s Supper as a standing ordinance of divine worship, our Savior plainly stated the purpose of the ordinance. The Holy Spirit tells us in 1 Corinthians 11:24 that he said, “This do in remembrance of me.” The Lord’s Supper was established by Christ to be a memorial of him and his great sacrifice of love for us, by which he redeemed his elect, no more and no less. Immense harm has been done by those who have taught God’s people that this is a mysterious, complex thing. The fact is, as I have already shown you, it could not have been established with greater simplicity. The Lord’s Supper is not a sacrifice. Not a word is mentioned anywhere in connection with the establishment or the observance of this ordinance about a sacrifice. No mention is made of priests or altars. The fact is, once Christ was offered as a sacrifice for our sins, all sacrifices, all altars, and all priests ceased to be (Hebrews 10:14). We have no sacrifice but Christ. We have no altar but Christ. We have no priest but Christ. If you have any other altar, priest, or sacrifice, you do not have and cannot partake of Christ (Hebrews 13:10). The Lord’s Supper is not a sacrament. Those who speak of the ordinances of Christ as sacraments are in error, very grave error. The bread and wine are not sacred. The table is not sacred. And the act of eating and drinking the bread and wine is not sacred. I mean by that that grace is not conferred upon us by our observance of the Lord’s Supper.

It is not a means by which God conveys his grace to sinners. God’s grace is conveyed to us through Christ alone and by faith alone. The word sacrament implies a means of grace. By definition, a sacrament is “a solemn religious ceremony enjoined by Christ, to be observed by his followers, by which their special relation to him is created, or their obligations to him are renewed and ratified.” A sacrament is a piece of Roman Catholic idolatry retained by Protestant churches who yet imagine that the grace of God can be obtained by ceremonies, rituals, and works. The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic memorial ordinance of public worship. It is not an ordinance to be observed privately, but publicly. It is an ordinance for redeemed sinners, for believers, for men and women who are born again by the power and grace of God the Holy Spirit. By our public observance of this ordinance, eating the bread and drinking the wine, we openly declare to all that we are sinners in need of Christ alone as our sin-atoning Savior, looking to him alone for salvation and eternal life, trusting him just as we did in our baptism when we were symbolically buried with him in the watery grave and arose with him to walk in the newness of life. The Lord’s Supper is a solemn, but joyful ordinance of worship. At the end of the Supper, our Lord and his disciples sang a hymn. Every remembrance of our redemption accomplished by Christ should fill us with joy. John Trapp suggested that we ought to leave the Lord’s Table with “shouting as a giant after his wine, singing and making melody to the Lord in our hearts. We should come from the Lord’s table, as Moses did from the mount, with our faces shining; as the good women did from the sepulchre, ‘with fear and great joy;’ as the people went to their tents from Solomon’s feast, ‘joyful and glad of heart’ (1 Kings 8:66). If those in the wilderness were so cheered and cherished by their idolatrous feast before the golden calf that they ‘eat and drink, and rise up to play’ (1 Corinthians 10:7), how much more should we by this blessed banquet?” Those Present This passage also shows us the character of those who were present with our Savior at the first observance of the Lord’s Supper. Let me state emphatically that we do not and must not make the celebration of the Lord’s Supper a community or family service. It is not, never has been, and must never be something to which unbelievers are invited, or something they are encouraged to participate in. Anyone who does not trust the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior, as his justice satisfying Substitute before God, is disqualified from both baptism (Acts 8:36-37) and the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:27-29). Unbelievers are unworthy of the Lord’s ordinances because they do not discern (or understand the necessity of) the Lord’s body. However, it is not up to the pastor, the elders, the deacons, or the church to decide who shall and who shall not partake of the Lord’s Supper.

The burden of examination and responsibility is upon the individual. Each one must examine himself (1 Corinthians 11:28). This becomes obvious when we see who first observed this blessed ordinance with our Savior. They all professed to be believers and followers of Christ. While the Scriptures do not allow for closed communion, or even restricted communion, the Word of God does not allow anyone to forbid communion to those who profess faith in Christ; it is restricted to those who profess to be the disciples of our Lord. Though all professed to be believers, one of them was a devil; and the Lord knew it (Matthew 26:21-23; Luke 22:14). The Lord Jesus knew what Judas had done. Yet, he did not refuse him a place at the table. The reason appears obvious to me. He would give no precedent for the practice of fencing the table, which gained prominence by the legality of puritan theology. We must never attempt to set barriers around the table to keep anyone away. The Holy Spirit makes it crystal clear that it is the responsibility of the person who eats the bread and drinks the wine to examine himself, to be certain that he or she is a believer, one who discerns the Lord’s body, warning all that those who eat and drink unworthily, without faith in Christ, eat and drink damnation to themselves (1 Corinthians 11:27-30). You, and you alone can determine whether you are in the faith. If you profess faith in Christ, it is the responsibility of God’s people to look upon your profession as genuine and to receive you “without doubtful disputations,” without suspicion (Romans 14:1). Our Lord knew that Judas was a devil, and that he was at that time looking for an opportunity to betray him. Yet, when he passed out the bread and wine, he gave it to Judas as well as to Peter, James, and John, because Judas professed to be one of his. One of the disciples would, in a matter of hours, curse and deny the Master. Though our Lord knew that soon Peter would experience a terrible fall, yet he spread the bread and wine before him. And he knew that all the disciples who sat with him at this first communion service would soon forsake him in weakness, fear, and unbelief. Not one child of God was for any reason exempted from the Lord’s Supper. God never sends his erring children to bed without supper. He evens allows a devil to sit at the table, rather than encourage anyone to prevent any of his children from receiving this blessed ordinance.

Let no child of God look upon the Lord’s Supper as an unnecessary thing. Let no believer imagine that he is unworthy to receive this ordinance. Our worthiness is Christ. He who is unfit for the ordinance of Christ is unfit for the company of Christ. Let us never be more strict in the ordinances of Christ than Christ himself. Immutable Grace In Matthew 26:31-35 our dear Redeemer, knowing that his disciples would soon need to be reminded of it, declares the blessed immutability of his saving grace. He assures us that because of his one great sacrifice for sin, God will never charge his people with sin (Romans 4:8). As was prophesied by Zechariah (Zechariah 13:7), when the Shepherd was smitten by the rod of divine justice, the sheep would all be scattered. So it came to pass. Though everyone of them were confident that they would never be offended by him and would never forsake him, and publicly announced their confidence to one another and to the Savior, they were all offended by their Savior. They all forsook him. How deceitful are our hearts! But Zechariah’s prophecy included something more. The Lord declared, “Awake, O sword, against my Shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow…Smite the Shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.” That much of the prophecy we often quote and hear quoted. But God’s word by Zechariah continues. The first part of Zec 13:7 announced the death of Christ as our sin-atoning Substitute, the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for his sheep. — “Awake, O sword, against my Shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow…Smite the Shepherd!” The next line announced the weakness, sin and unbelief of the smitten Shepherd’s poor, depraved sheep. — “And the sheep shall be scattered.” But the last line of Zec 13:7 gives a blessed word of grace, assuring us of the immutability of God’s grace to us in Christ, though we are but weak, sinful, straying sheep. — “And I will turn mine hand upon the little ones!” Those precious, sweet words of grace were in the heart and mind of our blessed Savior as he anticipated the shameful, sinful behavior of his beloved disciples. In Matthew 26:32 he assures them, and us, that his grace is unaltered even by our sin. He says, “I will turn mine hand upon the little ones!” — “After I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.” Though they knew it not, the Lord Jesus was saying to his people, “I will go before you in grace to recover you, wherever you may in your weakness and sin stray from me” (See Mark 16:7; John 21:15-19). — “If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself” (2 Timothy 2:13). — “Blessed is the man to whom God will not impute sin” (Romans 4:8). That which we celebrate in the Lord’s Supper is absolute, perfect, immutable salvation by the grace of God in Christ, our crucified Redeemer, by whom our sins have been put away forever!

Matthew 26:36-46

Chapter 80 Lessons from Gethsemane “Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.” (Matthew 26:36-46) Now we follow the Lord Jesus Christ into Gethsemane. Let us do so with great reverence, gratitude and wonder. Robert Hawker’s opening comments on this portion of Holy Scripture express the attitude with which we ought to approach it. Hawker wrote… “We have here Christ’s entrance upon his sufferings, in the garden Gethsemane. The whole life of Jesus had been a life of sorrow, for of him, and him only, by way of emphasis, can it be said, that he was a ‘man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.’ But here he is entering more especially upon the great work of sorrow, for which he became the Surety of his people. And here it is therefore, that we need most eminently the teaching of God the Holy Ghost. I am aware how very little a way our discoveries carry us, when following the steps of Jesus by faith, into the garden of Gethsemane. If Peter, James, and John, whom Christ took with him there, fell under such a drowsiness as is described, how shall we hope to watch the footsteps of Jesus to any great discoveries of such an awful scene? Nevertheless, looking up for the teachings and leadings of the Holy Ghost, I would beg the Reader to accompany me, in following by faith, the Lord Jesus to Gethsemane’s garden, in this dark and gloomy hour; and may the Lord be our Teacher in beholding the glory of Christ, even in the depth of his soul travail, when he drank the cup of trembling to the dregs, that we might drink the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord.” As we read this passage, we must remember that everything our Lord Jesus did, and all that he suffered, was as the Surety and Representative of his elect, whom he came into the world to save. That fact should fill us with reverence adoration, and should keep us from vain curiosity. If it were possible for a man to remove a deadly virus from his wife by drawing it into himself, I cannot imagine her trying to figure out the chemical and biological reactions of his body and mind as he suffered and died with her disease. Somehow, such curiosity would seem out of place. Wouldn’t it? It would be far more reverent and honoring to her husband for her to simply adore his great love for her. Let us, therefore, reverently remember and adore our Savior’s great love for us and draw from his agony in Gethsemane some practical lessons by which we may honor him who loved us and gave himself for us. I will not attempt to explain to what extent our Lord’s agony here was the result of Satan’s temptations. I do not know. I cannot tell you how much agony a holy, sinless person, like our Redeemer, would endure at the prospect of being made sin for us. That is altogether beyond human imagination. Nor will I attempt to explain what appears to many to be a conflict between the human and divine wills of our Savior.

It is sufficient for us to know that he is perfectly God and perfectly man. I leave these points alone, because I know any attempt of mine to explain them would only “darken counsel by words without knowledge” (Job 38:2). However, I am certain that all that our Savior endured and did in Gethsemane is here recorded by divine inspiration for our comfort and learning that we might walk in his steps. Therefore, I want to show you seven thing set before us in this paragraph. The Necessity of Satisfaction The first thing that is obvious in these verses is the fact that there is absolutely no way for the holy, just, and true God to forgive sin and save sinners apart from the sin-atoning death of his own dear Son as our Substitute. Why was our Lord so sorrowful? Why was his heart so heavy? Why was his soul so troubled? Why did he fall on his face and cry out to his Father three times with strong crying and tears? What is the meaning of the bloody sweat, sore amazement and astonishment described by the other Gospel writers? Why is the almighty, the omnipotent Son of God so apparently helpless? Why is that One who by a single word raised the dead, that One who performed astonishing miracles for multitudes suddenly disturbed and cast down in his own soul? Why is the Lord Jesus Christ who came into this world to die for sinners by the will of God suddenly filled with agony and astonishment at the prospect of death? Any thoughtful consideration of these questions forces an honest man to recognize these three facts. “Without shedding of blood is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22). That is the reason why it was impossible for the cup of God’s wrath to pass from his darling Son. God almighty could not forgive sin; he could not save his people without the shedding of Christ’s precious blood. God cannot save sinners apart from the satisfaction of justice (Romans 3:24-26). Therefore Christ had to die. The weight that pressed heavily upon our Redeemer’s soul was not the prospect of death by crucifixion, but the prospect of being made sin for us. Many mere men, even women and children have been known to endure terrible bodily pains without crying out and without dread. Certainly, our Savior was not weaker than such mere men. There must have been something other than the prospect of a horrible, painful death pressing him down. The thing that pressed upon his heart and crushed his very soul was the prospect of being made sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24). No mere man, no, not even an angel of God can imagine what that must have been like to his holy soul! As he anticipated being made sin for us, our Savior said, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death.” The sorrow of his soul was the very soul of his sorrow. What was the cause of this great heaviness and sorrow, this grief and agony of our blessed Redeemer’s soul? What was it that crushed our Master’s heart? What so greatly disturbed him? It certainly was not the fear of physical pain, the fear of death, or even the fear of dying upon the cross. It was not death on the cross that our Redeemer agonized over in Gethsemane. He stated very emphatically that he came for the purpose of dying as our Substitute upon the cursed tree.

We should read the record of our Savior’s agony here in light of his earlier temptation in the wilderness. After that temptation, Satan left him for a season, awaiting another opportunity to assault him (Luke 4:13). In Gethsemane the prince of this world launched his final assault upon the Lord Jesus. Just as he assaulted the first Adam in the garden of Eden, he assaulted the last Adam in the garden of Gethsemane. In Gethsemane the serpent bruised the heel of the woman’s Seed, and in Gethsemane the woman’s Seed again overthrew his assault. It was the enormous load of our sin and guilt that crushed our Savior’s heart in Gethsemane. That which crushed our Savior’s heart was the anticipation of being made sin for us. The heavy, heavy burden, which crushed his very soul, was the enormous load of sin and guilt, the sin and guilt of all God’s elect which was about to be made his. Our Savior’s great sorrow was caused by his anticipation of being made sin for us. “It was,” wrote J.C. Ryle, “a sense of the unutterable weight of our sins and transgressions which were then specially laid upon him.” He who knew no sin was about to be made sin for us. He who is the only man who really knows what sin is, the only man who sees sin as God, was about to become sin.

He who is the holy, harmless, undefiled Lamb of God was about to be made a curse for us. The holy Son of God was about to be forsaken by his Father. Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, “began to be sore amazed,” to be in great consternation and astonishment, at the sight of all the sins of his people coming upon him, the black storm of divine wrath gathering thick over him, the sword of justice about to be drawn against him, and the curses of God’s holy law and inflexible justice about to be poured out upon him when he would be made sin for us! In consideration of these things our Savior began “to be very heavy!” That which crushed our Savior’s very heart and soul was the very thing for which he came into the world — The prospect of what he must endure as our Substitute. Those for whom the Lord Jesus Christ was made to be sin, for whom he suffered and died, are most assuredly made the righteousness of God in him, and shall be saved by his almighty grace. Be assured, the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ shall never be discovered a miscarriage. All for whom the Son of God died under the wrath of God shall be saved by the grace of God. His blood was not shed in vain (Isaiah 53:10-12). No Exemption from Sorrow Next, we are here taught that holiness of life is no exemption from trouble and sorrow. Our Lord Jesus Christ was “holy, harmless, and undefiled.” He never did anything but good. He loved God perfectly. He loved men perfectly. “He knew no sin.” Yet, never was there a human being who suffered like the “man of sorrows.” The fact is, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble” (Job 14:1). There are no exceptions. While we live in this world, trouble and sorrow will always be the portion of our cup. We are, all of us, “born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward” (Job 5:7). No creature in this world is so vulnerable as man. Our bodies, our minds, our families, our jobs, our daily responsibilities, our businesses, our friends, all are doors of trouble and sorrow. Let us, in the midst of sorrow, try to remind ourselves that our troubles and sorrows are light in comparison with what we deserve, what others have suffered, what our Savior suffered for us, and with the glory that awaits us in heaven. And compared with eternity, they are but for a moment (2 Corinthians 4:18 to 2 Corinthians 5:1).Cure for Care Third, we should learn from our Savior’s conduct here that prayer is the best cure for care. When Job was troubled, he fell down and worshipped God (Job 1:20). When Hezekiah was faced with great sorrow and trouble, he spread his matters before the Lord (2 Kings 19:14). And when our Lord Jesus was “exceeding sorrowful,” he turned to God his Father in prayer. The very first Person to whom we should turn with our sorrows and troubles and cares is our God and Father. Nothing that concerns us is too trivial, and nothing too great for him who bids us cast all our care upon him, assuring us that he cares for us (Hebrews 4:16; 1 Peter 5:7; 2 Corinthians 12:9). Whatever our trouble is, as we look to the Lord our God for help, he will either remove the trouble or he will give us grace sufficient to bear it for his glory. Submission to God’s Will Another thing taught in this remarkable passage is the fact that submission to the will of God is one characteristic of true faith. The words of our Savior give us a marvelous example of faith, a marvelous example of what our attitude ought to be in all things. May God give me grace always to surrender to him and say, “Not as I will, but as thou wilt…Thy will be done.” Someone once said, “He who abandons himself to God will never be abandoned by God.” We all think we want to have our own way. But we do not know what is best for us, best for the glory of God, best for the people of God, or best for the cause of God. Only God knows what is best. We will be wise, like old Eli, ever to say, “It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good” (1 Samuel 3:18). Blessed is that person who is so well taught of God that he has learned to be content with the purpose of God and with the providence of God (Philippians 4:11-13). Watch and Pray Our Lord also shows us here that the strongest and most faithful believers are very weak in this world and always need to watch and pray. Here are Peter, James, and John, chosen Apostles, three of the strongest, most exemplary believers ever to walk upon the earth. Yet, here they are, with the Son of God in Gethsemane, fast asleep! When they ought to have been watching and praying, they were sleeping. The sad fact is, that is the common sin of God’s elect in this world (Son 5:2-3). We are a people with two distinct, opposing natures, “flesh” and “spirit” (Romans 7:14-23). Yet, our weakness is never to be looked upon as an excuse for sin, but always as a reason for watchfulness and prayer. We must always live like soldiers in enemy territory, watchful, alert, and on guard. We cannot be too careful. We cannot be too jealous of our souls. The world is cunning. The devil is crafty. Our flesh is weak. In such a condition it is utterly foolish for us not to watch and pray that we enter not into temptation. Our Tender, Forgiving Savior Sixth, we are taught that our Lord Jesus Christ is a very gracious, tender, forgiving God and Savior. — “Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners” (Matthew 26:45-46). Our Lord did not speak those words in sarcasm. He simply told Peter, James, and John to rest while he kept watch. He saw the glare of the torches approaching. The stillness of the night was broken by the trampling feet of the betrayer and the blood-thirsty mob he was leading. But the Lord Jesus speaks to these sleeping disciples, not for their sake but for ours, (They could not hear him.

They were asleep!), as if to say, “There is no need for you to be disturbed. I will take care of this.” May God the Holy Spirit graciously and constantly teach us to look to Christ in faith, confident that he is watching for us and over us, that we might take our rest in him. A Willing Sacrifice Once more, we should learn from this passage of Scripture that the Lord Jesus Christ willingly laid down his life for his people. He died as a willing sacrifice for our sins. He said to his beloved servants, “Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me” (Matthew 26:46). Our Redeemer did not die as the helpless victim of circumstances beyond his control. He had come into the world to come to this hour that he might die in our place as our sin-atoning Substitute. This is “how” Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures. He died vicariously, in the place of God’s elect (John 10:11). He died voluntarily, by his own will (John 10:17-18). And he died victoriously, triumphing over death, hell, and the grave, having accomplished eternal redemption for us (John 19:30). Oh! Gethsemane! Sacred, hallowed spot! Did Jesus oft-times resort thither with his disciples? And wilt thou now, O LORD, by thy sweet Spirit, aid my meditations, that I may take the wing of faith and often traverse over the solemn ground? It was a garden in which the first Adam began to break through the fence of God’s holy plantation. And in a garden the second Adam, so called, shall begin the soul-travail of sorrow, to do away the effects of it. And, oh! What humiliation, what agonies, what conflicts in the arduous work? Oh! How vast the glory, when smiting to the earth his enemies, the LORD JESUS proved his GODHEAD by the breath of his mouth! Sweetly do I see thee, LORD, by faith, going forth a willing sacrifice. Lo! I come! said JESUS. So come, LORD, now, by grace!

Matthew 26:47-56

Chapter 81 The Betrayal “And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear.

Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.

Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.” (Matthew 26:47-56) Nothing in human history more vividly portrays the depravity, blackness, vileness and deceit of the human heart than the betrayal of our Lord Jesus Christ into the hands of his enemies by Judas Iscariot. Nothing more woefully displays the evil of the hypocrite’s heart than this vile deed of Judas. Nothing more fearfully exemplifies the hardness of heart that is produced by a profession of faith in Christ without the possession of the grace of God and the knowledge of Christ. If we are wise, we will read the passage before us with fear and trembling, lest we should at last found with Judas. What a sad picture the Holy Spirit has painted with these words. Here we see the beginning of our Lord’s sorrows. The cup of his woe is beginning to be filled. One of his disciples betrays him. All of his disciples forsake him. He is arrested like a common thief by his enemies. Behold these things, the beginning of his sorrows, and know that there never was or ever shall be any sorrow like his sorrow. May we never forget that the cause of all his sorrows was our sin. The Son of God was “delivered for our offences” (Romans 4:25). In the verses before us we are given clear instructions concerning both our Redeemer and ourselves. May God the Holy Spirit take the things of Christ and show them to us. Kiss of Treachery Who is not familiar with the kiss of hypocrisy, called “the Judas kiss”? All are familiar with the event; but few, I fear, pause to consider its implications. The most abominable and dangerous men in the world are those who betray Christ with the kiss of friendship. Judas betrayed the Lord of glory with a kiss! Though treachery was in his heart, familiarity, kindness, peace, and love was what he wished to convey. In eastern countries a kiss is a common form of greeting. It suggests respect, friendship, affection, and a wish that the one kissed may enjoy every blessing. Judas’ kiss was the kiss of a betrayer, a kiss of treachery and hypocrisy. When he said, “Hail, master,” he was saying, “Joy and happiness to you, my master.” Thus, the hypocrite, with brazenness and hardness of heart, pretended to worship, honor, love, and serve Christ, even in the act of betraying him! May God save us from the treacherous kisses of self-righteousness, false religion, idolatry, and hypocrisy. This kiss of treachery is also manifest in all who pretend to serve and honor our Lord Jesus, while betraying him with false doctrine, by which they deny the saving operations of the triune God: the work of God the Father in the accomplishment of our salvation by his eternal decree (Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians 1:3-6), the work of God the Son in the accomplishments righteousness and redemption at Calvary (Ephesians 1:7-12), and the works of God the Holy Spirit imparting righteousness to us, making us partakers of the divine nature in regeneration, sanctifying chosen, redeemed sinners by his grace in the gifts of life and faith in Christ. Our Savior’s warning needs to be rung out often and heard distinctly. He said, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Matthew 7:15). These wolves would not be so dangerous if they did not come in sheep’s clothing (2 Corinthians 11:1-15). C. H.

Spurgeon wrote, “This sign of Judas was typical of the way in which Jesus is generally betrayed. When men intend to undermine the Scriptures, how do they begin their books? Why, always with a declaration that they wish to promote the truth of Christ!” An Accessible Savior The Lord Jesus Christ is such a friend of sinners that he is readily accessible to them. I recognize that we are never told that any of the other apostles kissed the Savior; but that does not mean that they did not. In fact, it would be a very strange thing if they had failed to do so. As I said, this was then, as it is now, a common form of greeting in eastern countries (Exodus 18:7; 1 Samuel 20:41). Our Lord rebuked Simon the Pharisee because he did not greet him in this manner (Luke 7:45). When Judas made his deal of treachery he told them to arrest the one that he kissed. His object was to betray the Master in a way that would appear the least suspicious. Therefore, he said, “Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he.” Apparently, this was the common way in which our Lord was greeted by his disciples after a time of absence. It was a custom maintained by the disciples long afterward. Paul frequently admonishes believers to greet one another with a “holy kiss.” Peter urges us to greet one another with a “kiss of charity.” There is a word of instruction, comfort, and encouragement in this. Our Lord Jesus Christ is gracious. He condescends to be accessible to and approached by sinners such as we are in the most intimate manner. In fact, we are commanded to “kiss the Son.” What a blessed commandment of grace that is! What the Son of God was to sinners in his humiliation, he is in his exaltation. He is just as ready to save, just as accessible today as he was when he walked upon the earth. Sinners may freely come to the Son of God without fear of being rejected or cast off by him (John 6:37; Hebrews 4:16). “Sinners Jesus will receive, — Sound this word of grace to all!” Spiritual Warfare Let all who seek to serve the cause of Christ in this world learn from Matthew 26:51-53 that the cause of Christ and his kingdom cannot be established, maintained, defended, or even helped by carnal means. “And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?” In Matthew 26:53 we see Peter acting very rashly. He drew out his sword and began to take on a band of soldiers single handedly. While we admire his courage, we must not fail to see his folly in this. Our Lord rebuked him for it. He did not commend him. John Trapp wisely observed: “A wonderful work of God it was surely, that hereupon he was not hewn in a hundred pieces by the barbarous soldiers.” Two things need to be understood here. Our Lord does not condemn the lawful use of the sword, of deadly arms and force. There are many that make this verse an argument against believers going to war in defense of the nation, or against a man arming himself to defend his family and property against criminal intruders, or against the exercise of capital punishment by the state. While I am not interested in debating any of those issues, I will state that the Word of God does, without question, allow the use of the sword, of deadly force, in such circumstances. But that is not the subject here, either pro or con. Our Lord is here teaching us that his cause, his kingdom, his church, his gospel can never be established, maintained, defended, or even helped by carnal weapons. “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds” (2 Corinthians 10:4). While he specifically speaks of the sword, the sword is but a symbol for all carnal things. The church and kingdom of God cannot be established by carnal means; and we must never attempt it. Christ builds his church by the power of the Holy Spirit, through the preaching of the Gospel. Every other means by which men attempt to advance the cause of Christ in this world (civil law, political power, religious entertainment, religious philosophy, human reason, the doctrines of men, eloquent speech, etc.) is but wood, hay, and stubble that will be burned (1 Corinthians 3:13-15). A Voluntary Sacrifice All that our Lord Jesus Christ endured as our Substitute he endured freely and voluntarily. One great feature in the redemption of our souls is the freeness with which our Redeemer performed the work. In fact, in great measure it was the voluntariness of our Savior’s sacrifice that gave it merit and efficacy. Our Savior said, “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father” (John 10:17-18). Our Lord Jesus was not taken captive against his will, or because he could not escape. That would have been a very easy thing for him to do. But he had come here on purpose to fulfill the will of God, to fulfill the types and prophecies of the Old Testament, and to fulfill all righteousness for the salvation of his people. His heart was set upon accomplishing this great work. He was a voluntary Scapegoat, a willing Victim, and a willing Sacrifice for us. “Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled” (Matthew 26:53-56). The Lord Jesus said, “Thus it must be.” Why? Why must it thus be? It “must be,” because it was ordained by God the Father, it was agreed upon in the covenant of grace, and it was prophesied in the Old Testament Scriptures. Every detail of our Lord’s sufferings and death, from this vile betrayal to the piercing of his holy side, was foretold in the Old Testament. It “must be,” because it was typified in the sacrifices and ceremonies of the law. There was no other way for God in his holy justice to forgive and pardon the sins of his people. Depraved Sinners Still “Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled” (v.56). — We see in the conduct of our Lord’s disciples a clear picture of that which the Word of God constantly holds before us with regard to saved sinners. — Though loved and chosen of God, though redeemed and justified by the blood of Christ, though born of his Spirit, sanctified, and given a new, righteous nature by him, God’s saints in this world are sinners still. None of us really knows what evils we are capable of committing. “Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.” — How little we know of the weakness and sin of our own hearts! All these disciples had, just a few hours earlier, protested our Lord’s prophecy, and said, “We will not forsake you” (Matthew 26:35). There was no reason for their fear. The Lord Jesus had already demanded of these soldiers that they let his disciples go (John 18:8). They had witnessed his sovereign power over these soldiers. Yet, when left to their own strength, every one of the disciples forsook their Master. In the time of testing they forgot everything. They forgot God’s goodness, grace, and power, their past experiences, their fervent resolutions, and their Master’s love. They forgot everything. This is here recorded to remind us again that there is no evil we are not capable of committing or will not commit if left to ourselves, and that salvation is by grace alone. Our only righteousness is Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Our only hope of preservation is that God, who saved us by his grace, will keep us by his grace. “Let us learn from this passage lessons of humiliation and self-abasement. Let us resolve, by God’s grace, to cultivate a spirit of lowliness and self-distrust. Let us settle in our minds, that there is nothing too bad for the very best of us to do, unless he is held up by the grace of God; and let it be one of our daily prayers, ‘Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe’ (Psalms 119:117).” (J. C. Ryle)After these things, after suffering the wrath of men, our Savior yet had to endure the wrath of God to save us. That, too, he voluntarily endured for us as our Substitute (2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13-14).

Matthew 26:57-68

Chapter 82 The Son of God Excommunicated and Condemned “And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end. Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? But Jesus held his peace.

And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death. Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?” (Matthew 26:57-68)In the passage before us we see the Lord of glory dragged before the ecclesiastical court of the Jews, before Caiaphas, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. Everybody who was anybody among the Jews was represented in this assembly of madness. The whole religious world of the day, all who claimed to reverence the Word of God, honor the law of God, walk in the ways of God, and worship in the name of God were represented in this blood-thirsty religious mob. These men were not the religious kooks and crackpots, but the leaders of mainstream religion, both conservative and liberal, both the orthodox and the unorthodox. All of them had come together now for the third time in one week (John 11:47-50; Matthew 26:2-3) to excommunicate the Lord of glory and condemn him to death. They were determined to get rid of Christ and his Gospel, while maintaining their religious status quo. They wanted to keep their temple, and their priesthood, and their religious customs, and the name of God; but they were determined to put an end to the influence of the Son of God and the Gospel of his grace. I hope you have not missed my point. This is what I am saying. This is what I want you to see. It is as evident as the noon day sun throughout the Scriptures. — The religious world, the mainstream religious world, in all its branches and denominations, is now and always has been opposed to Christ, his gospel, and his kingdom. Every church in the world is acceptable in the religious world, except the church of God. Every religious notion in the world is acceptable in the religious world, except the Gospel of God’s free and sovereign grace in Christ. Every way of salvation promoted by the perverse imaginations of men is acceptable in the religious world, except the declaration that Christ is the only Way, the declaration that salvation is to be had only by the shedding of his blood for the satisfaction of divine justice, that righteousness can be obtained only by divine imputation, and that salvation is the gift and operation of God’s free, sovereign, effectual grace. The Sacrifice Bound “And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.” — In a way it was only fitting that our Savior be brought before the high priest of the Jews at this time. The great day of atonement was at hand. The wondrous types of the paschal lamb, the mercy-seat, and the scapegoat were about to be fulfilled. Now, before he is led forth to be crucified, the high priest, by the arrangement of providence, pronounces sin to be upon the head of the innocent Lamb of God (Leviticus 16:21). Ever remember that our Savior’s sufferings were voluntarily endured. He, who had by his mere word smitten the band of soldiers who came to arrest him (John 18:6), was not bound and led away against his will. This, too, came to pass according to the purpose of God, that the Scriptures might be fulfilled. In Psalms 22 our Savior cried, “Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round…Dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me.” Our blessed Savior was bound as the sacrifices of old, just as Isaac was bound and put on the altar (Genesis 22:9), and all the sacrifices of the law were bound at the horns of the altar (Psalms 118:27). The binding of the sacrifices in the Old Testament typically pictured the sins and iniquities of God’s elect binding the Lord Jesus. Robert Hawker observed, “For as chains and fetters tie down the body, so sin and iniquity bend down the soul.” And our blessed Savior cried, as one whose soul was bound, when he was restoring that which he took not away, “O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee…Innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me” (Psalms 40:12; Psalms 69:5).

Perhaps, the binding of our Substitute was intended of God to set forth the binding of all the sins of his people to him, when the Lord God had “laid on him the iniquity of us all,” making him “sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” I said, “perhaps” that was the intent of our God in the providential binding of our Redeemer, because it cannot be stated with certainty. But Robert Hawker made another observation concerning the binding of our sins to our Savior that is a matter of certainty. He wrote. “It is a very, very precious thought, to the soul of every truly regenerated believer, that all the sins of his redeemed, without the omission of a single infirmity or sin; in thought, or word, or deed, were laid upon Christ, as the sacrifice was bound on the altar. Hence, the High Priest, under the Jewish dispensation, was commanded to be thus particular, on the great day of atonement. And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgression in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat: and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man (a man of opportunity, as the margin hath it, and as Christ was) into the wilderness, as Christ was led away when bound (Leviticus 16:21).” When our blessed Savior was bound, led away, and, at last, put to death as our sin-atoning Sacrifice, he fulfilled all the typical sacrifices of the law that foreshadowed and represented him. Thus, he who was made sin for us put away all the sins of all his people by the sacrifice of himself. Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin Caiaphas represents the very worst of lost, unregenerate religious leaders. John Gill tells us that his name means “one that vomits at the mouth.” Though he had all the proper outward credentials of a high priest, he obtained his office by the appointment of man (The Roman Governor), either as the result of bribery or as a favor done to him, rather than by the appointment of God. Like most religious leaders who obtain their offices and positions by the appointment of men, Caiaphas was a pragmatic leader for the people. He knew, at least in theory, certain aspects of divine truth; but he was a subtle politician. When it was to his advantage to do so, he could act very manly and speak truth in the face of others. I do not know how much, if anything, he understood about what he said; but he certainly spoke the truth in John 11:47-54. He had no interest in the glory of God, the people of God, or the souls of men; but he did speak the truth. There are multitudes just like him in pulpits and positions of great leadership and influence around the world today. High office in the church is no indication that a man is God’s servant. Read the Bible with your eyes open. The chief agents of our Lord’s crucifixion and death were the priests, the elders, and the scribes of Israel. These priests could trace their lineage back to Aaron. They held the highest offices of religion. They led the people in their acts of worship. They lived austere lives of devotion. At least they publicly appeared to live such lives. But these men were the murderers of the Son of God! Beware, hold no man in high esteem because he is reputed as a great preacher or religious leader. The teaching of any man who comes in the name of God must be tested by the standard of Holy Scripture (Isaiah 8:20; 1 John 4:1-6). Peter and the Lord’s Enemies “But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end” (Matthew 26:58). — I do not want to say more than is suggested by this verse; but it is placed here by divine inspiration to prepare us for that which is later revealed about Peter’s denial of the Lord Jesus. “Peter followed him.” — After first forsaking the Lord with all the rest, Peter and John turned back to follow him. Peter alone is mentioned here because it is Peter who is being considered. But we must not be too severe in our judgment of Peter. John Gill wrote, “Peter’s following Christ showed love to him. He was loth (reluctant) to leave him. His bowels (heart) moved towards him. He wanted to know how it would fare with him, and what would become of him.” But, sadly, that is not all that we are told. “Peter followed him,” but he “followed him afar off.” — As Matthew Henry observed, “Some sparks of love and concern for his Master were in his breast, and therefore he followed him; but fear and concern for his own safety prevailed, and therefore he followed him afar off…Here began Peter’s denying him; for to follow him afar off is, by little and little, to go back from him.” Next we are told that Peter “went in and sat with the servants.” — He went in not to speak for Christ, but to screen himself, hoping not to be identified with Christ and his disciples. In fear and unbelief this bold disciple played the hypocrite. Foolishly and needlessly, he put himself in the way of temptation. He had no intention when he came to the high priest’s house of denying his Lord; but he put himself in the path of danger by putting himself in the company of the Lord’s enemies. “When a servant of Christ by his own choice sits with the servants of the wicked, sin and sorrow speedily follow.” (C. H. Spurgeon)The reason why Peter followed and went in was to gratify his curiosity about the most sacred of all things, the death of Christ.

Look what the Holy Spirit tells us. He went in “to see the end.” Peter went in simply to indulge his curiosity! He wanted to see what was taking place. He wanted to see how the Lord would be condemned and delivered up to die. Perhaps he wanted to see what he knew no one else would see. Whatever the case, his curiosity nearly destroyed him. Let us be warned. The desire to satisfy curiosity may be very advantageous in carnal things, but in spiritual matters it is always ruinous. The Chief Priests and their False Witnesses “Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?” (Matthew 26:59-62) Even though they were plotting the murder of the Lord of Glory, these men were meticulous in their religious duty. They knew that the law required at least two witnesses for anyone to be convicted of a capital crime. Before long, two men were found who perverted the Lord’s words into an accusation of blasphemy. Though these two false witnesses could not get their tales together, it sufficed to give these religious infidels a conscience soothing grounds for murder. Falsehood and ridicule are Satan’s favorite weapons. The old serpent is a liar and the father of all lies (John 8:44). Throughout our Lord’s earthly ministry he was constantly accused of being an evil man and of doing wicked deeds. This was nothing new for him. We must not be surprised to find men and women who oppose the gospel of the grace of God falsely accusing God’s saints of wickedness. Do not believe the evil reports that reprobate men give of God’s saints. Gospel preachers particularly are the objects of scandalous gossip inspired by Satan. That has always been the case. It is the case now, and so it will continue until time shall be no more. I have never known any man to be used of God who was not the object of scandalous rumor at one time or another. More often than not, the rumors are started by religious people pretending to seek the honor of God and promote the cause of righteousness. Do not be surprised when you attempt to serve God if you are falsely accused of evil; and do not be surprised when faithful gospel preachers are accused of evil. Those who despise, but cannot repudiate our doctrine, try to repudiate our names. Blood-Thirsty Religionists “But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death. Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?” (Matthew 26:63-68) Here we see the Son of God enclosed by the assembly of the wicked (Psalms 22:16). When accused by these false witnesses, our Lord held his peace. When he saw that his enemies were determined to have his blood, he choked their spite with silence. But “Jesus held his peace” because the Scripture must be fulfilled which said, “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7). Caiaphas was infuriated by the Savior’s composure and silence. Then, in Matthew 26:64 our Savior plainly declared himself to be the Christ, God the Son. He told this enraged mob that he would be seated upon the right hand of power, of omnipotence, and that they would see it; that is to say, it would be made manifest to them. The right hand of power is the right hand of God. Being seated there signified his finished work. Being seated upon the throne of God also implied that his work was accepted by God. Here our blessed Savior made a claim of deity, which the Jews clearly understood. Indeed, if Jesus of Nazareth is not God, he was guilty of blasphemy and did deserve to die (Leviticus 24:16). Then our Master gave a bold declaration of his second coming and the fact that these godless reprobates would see him again in judgment. Almost the last word spoken by our Lord before his crucifixion was about his second coming. Let us never question it. After that, in great pomp and pretense, the high priest contemptuously condemned our Redeemer to be crucified, ripping his garments as he screamed “blasphemy!” (Matthew 26:65-68). Caiaphas ripped his clothes in a pretense of “righteous indignation” only to hide the malignity of his murderous heart. He denounced the Son of God as a blasphemer only to disguise his own blasphemous heart. The penalty for blasphemy was death by stoning; but our Lord had foretold that he would be crucified. Therefore, rather than stoning him on the spot, these men spit upon him, as they beat and mocked the Son of God. Then they delivered him up to the Romans to be crucified. All of this the Son of God voluntarily endured as our Substitute. John Trapp wrote… “Christ was content to be spit upon to cleanse our faces from the filth of sin, to be buffeted with fists and beaten with rods to free us from that mighty hand of God (1 Peter 5:6), and from those scourges and scorpions of infernal fiends.” “See how patient Jesus stands, Insulted in His lowest case! Sinners bound His almighty hands, And spit in their Creator’s face!” What multitudes there are who daily repeat the crimes of this blood-thirsty mob by their willful unbelief! Unbelief is nothing less than what these elite, sophisticated, barbaric religionists did. It is spitting in the face of God (1 John 5:10). The Good Shepherd laid down his life for his sheep as a voluntary sacrifice and sin-offering (John 116-18); and he did it according to the will and purpose of God Almighty (Acts 2:23). All that was done to our Savior was done according to the purpose of God, and had been beforehand revealed in the Old Testament Scriptures (Acts 4:27-28; Acts 13:27-29). After these things, after suffering the wrath of men, our Savior yet had to endure the wrath of God to save us. That, too, he voluntarily endured for us, as our Substitute (2 Corinthians 5:21). The day shall soon come when the Lord of Glory will respond to the challenge of mockery in Matthew 26:68. “Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Revelation 1:7; Revelation 20:11).

Matthew 26:69-75

Chapter 83 Peter’s Fall and Restoration “Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.” (Matthew 26:69-75) Here is a picture of God’s servant Peter which is both humbling and instructive. The fall of Peter is set before us as a beacon. It has many warnings and many lessons for us. Any careful reader of God’s Word cannot fail to notice that Peter’s fall is recorded at considerable length by all four of the gospel writers. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John were inspired to write out the details of this sad event. Yet, not one of them offers a word of excuse or explanation in defense of their friend and brother. This is one of those things which indirectly demonstrates the truthfulness of Holy Scripture. If the Bible were nothing but the compositions of men, it would never have been written that the great apostle to the Jews was so weak and sinful that he shamefully denied his Lord and Master. This story of Peter’s fall was written by the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit for our learning and admonition. May the Spirit of God, who gave us this story four times, now inscribe its lessons upon our hearts by his almighty grace, for Christ’s sake. The Solemn Night Try to picture that cold, bitter night, if you can. It was a most solemn occasion. The disciples had just eaten the Lord’s Supper. The Lord Jesus had told his disciples plainly of his betrayal by Judas, his death as their Substitute, and the fact that all of them would forsake him. On this evening our Lord preached the message that is recorded in John 14 through 16. On this evening his disciples heard him offer up that great prayer of intercession as our Great High Priest that is recorded in John 17. Peter, James, and John had spent the evening with the Son of God in the Garden of Gethsemane. The soldiers came to arrest the Master. Judas betrayed the Son of God with a kiss. Peter risked his life to defend his Lord. Then, Peter denied him three times. Why do you suppose that this record is given four times? Why were each of the evangelists inspired to tell the same sad story in such detail? Surely the Holy Spirit means for us to give it special attention. Here are four things that appear to me to be obvious reasons why so much attention is given to Peter’s fall. Peter’s denial of the Lord Jesus must have greatly increased the pain and grief of our Savior’s sufferings. The Holy Spirit here sits before us in a most emphatic way both the power and the immutability of God’s saving grace. The divine Comforter knew that we would all be subject to the same temptations by which Peter was overcome. Without a doubt, this fourfold record of Peter’s fall is intended by God to be an instructive lesson for us concerning the frailty of the very best of men. The Word of God does not tell us much even about the best of those men who lived in Bible times. The history of God’s saints is scanty. Yet, the Bible very particularly and meticulously records the faults of God’s elect. It seems that the Holy Spirit goes out of his way to remind us that the very best of men are only men at best. Peter was not the infallible bishop of Rome, as the papist pretend. He was a frail, fickle, fallible, sinful man. The only thing the pope has in common with Peter is his denial of Christ. Peter’s fall seems to say to each of us: “You, too, are weak. You, too, will fall if left to yourself. Do not trust yourself. Trust Christ entirely. Lean on him incessantly. Do not rely upon your great experiences or the imaginary strength and firmness of your faith. Satan has desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat. Christ alone can hold you up. Christ alone can keep you.” As we care for our souls and the honor of our God, let us never cease to be prayerfully watchful over our souls, ever seeking grace from God to keep us from the evil that is in us. All who know God’s saving grace in Christ want to magnify and honor their Lord in this world. We want to live for the honor and glory of Christ. Our hearts shudder and tremble at the thought of bringing reproach upon the name of our blessed Redeemer. Yet, we know that unless the Lord himself preserves us, we will surely profane his name. The Circumstances Soberly think about the circumstances of Peter’s fall. We are not considering the fall of a lost hypocrite or an apostate. Peter was not a lost man, but a saved man, even when he fell. Not only was he a saved man, he was an apostle of Christ, a gospel preacher, a man who truly loved the Lord Jesus. Peter was a true believer, a child of grace, pardoned and accepted in Christ. He was a man of strong faith, firm conviction, and unrelenting zeal. But he was a man, just like you and me, a man whose heart was by nature full of sin. On this particular night the evil of his heart broke out in an unrestrained, blasphemous denial of Christ, a denial that was accompanied with foul oaths. As we consider the circumstances of Peter’s great fall, you will notice that there were no extenuating circumstances to excuse his guilt. In fact, there appears to have been no reason for it at all. Everything recorded about it only aggravates Peter’s guilt in the matter. Peter’s fall seems very strange because he was one of the Lord’s most highly favored and highly honored disciples. We would have expected this from any of the disciples before we would have expected it from Peter. The Lord had done so much for Peter. — Peter was one of the very first men to whom the Lord Jesus revealed himself in this world, one of the first to be saved by the power of his grace (John 1:40-42) — He was in the inner circle of the Master’s friends. — He appears to have been the chief spokesman for the early church. Let all who are highly honored of God in this world be warned. — The greater our privileges and the higher our honors, the greater our responsibilities are and the more horrible our offenses. Peter’s fall is especially sad because he had been plainly and faithfully warned of his great danger. The Savior told Peter exactly what was going to happen to him in the plainest terms possible. He knew the danger to which he was exposing himself when he walked into the high priest’s palace (Matthew 26:31; Luke 22:31-34). Satan desired to have him. His faith would be fiercely attacked. He must watch and pray that he enter not into temptation. But Peter walked headlong into his sin, rejecting the light and counsel God had given him. He ignored the light of God’s revelation Peter’s guilt is aggravated by the fact that it came so soon after he had confidently declared his loyalty and faithfulness to Christ, at least implying that he was confident that he was more loyal and dependable than any of his brethren. — “Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended…Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples” (Matthew 26:33-35). Just an hour or two after making this bold and arrogant profession of love and commitment to Christ, Peter cussed and denied that he even knew him! The Apostle’s fall did not come at once, but by degrees. Great, life-threatening sicknesses seldom come upon men without warning. Usually there are symptoms to warn us that something is wrong. Even so, believers seldom experience sudden falls into grave sin. Usually there are symptoms that something is wrong. The problem is that we ignore the symptoms. J. C. Ryle wrote… “The Church and the world are sometimes shocked by the sudden misconduct of some great professor of religion; believers are discouraged and stunned; the enemies of God rejoice and blaspheme: but if the truth could be known, the explanation of such cases would generally be found to have been private departure from God. Men fall in private long before they fall in public.” J. C. Ryle Notice that the Holy Spirit records a specific series of steps by which this man of great, remarkable faith descended into such a low condition. — He was far too confident and proud (Matthew 26:31-33). — The Lord told him to watch and pray. Instead, he slept! — He followed the Lord afar off (Matthew 26:58). — He chose to sit with scorners (Matthew 26:58; Luke 22:55; John 18:18). — He denied his Master by degrees (Mark 14:68-71). At first, he pretended not to understand the maiden’s words. Then, he denied that he knew the man (a denial of his own confession — Matthew 16:18; John 6:69). At last, he took up the oaths of a profane man, cussing as he denied his Redeemer, as if to prove his point by foulness. There are many, many ways by which men and women deny the Lord Jesus Christ; but usually the falls of God’s saints are not sudden. Normally, great falls are preceded by much smaller inconsistencies. And it takes very little to make a great saint fall into great sin, if God leaves him to himself. Peter’s trial was nothing but the word of a weak young woman, who said, “Thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.” Here is another aggravation of Peter’s terrible sin: All of this was done very close to the place where his Lord and Master was at that very time suffering for him! The Lord Jesus was standing right before Peter’s eyes, hearing every word! Some Reasons How can we account for all of this? How did such a great man come to commit such a grievous evil? I remind you, Peter was not a lost man, but a saint, a child of God, redeemed by blood, justified in Christ, saved by grace, and sanctified by the Spirit. Peter was in the tenor of his life a faithful giant among faithful giants. Few before him, and few after him could stand shoulder to shoulder with him. He was a man strong in faith, firm in conviction, bold in preaching, and unrelenting in his zeal for Christ. This man was eminent, even among the Apostles, a leader among leaders, an example among examples. How did this man, so great, so unique in so many ways come to commit such a horrible offense? This man, great as he was, was just a man. Like you and me, he was a man whose heart by nature was full of sin, whose flesh was weak. Peter was far too proud of himself, far too confident of his own strength. He was overcome by the fear of man; in this case, by the fear of a woman, who had no obvious power against him. He neglected watchfulness over his own heart and soul (Proverbs 4:23). And, I suspect that, like mother Eve, Peter had begun to doubt the Savior’s word. Peter’s Preservation Peter fell; but he did not perish. His faith weakened; but it did not die. He sinned; but he was not cast off or forsaken. He denied the Lord; but the Lord did not deny him. Peter belonged to Christ; and Christ can never lose one of his own. The Good Shepherd can never lose one of his sheep. Peter fell; but Christ graciously raised him up. It is written in the Scriptures, “The righteous falleth seven times a day; but the Lord raiseth him up.” Peter belonged to Christ. He was one of those sheep to whom the Son of God gave eternal life and promised, “They shall never perish.” Therefore, Peter was graciously preserved and restored by the hand of God. How did the Lord God restore his fallen child? Here are four things by which God graciously restored Peter. These are the very same things he uses to restore his fallen ones today. First, the Savior performed a special work of providence to preserve his fallen. — “And immediately the cock crew” (Matthew 26:74). The Lord God has many ways to reach the hearts of his chosen. There are many roosters he can cause to crow to awaken his erring children. Psalms 107 describes many of them. Second, there was a work of grace. Providence is made effectual only by the Lord’s work of grace in and upon the heart. — “The Lord turned and looked upon Peter” (Luke 22:61). What a look that must have been! The Lord turned to Peter. Peter did not turn to the Lord. And he looked upon Peter, not in anger, disgust, and wrath, but in mercy, love, and grace!

That look reflected all the tenderness, compassion, and faithfulness of Christ toward his fallen, sinful children. With that look, the Lord Jesus spoke silently, but effectually, to Peter’s heart. He seems to have said, “Peter, I have loved you with an everlasting love. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you. I have given to you eternal life; and you shall never perish. I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Fear not, for I have redeemed thee. I, even I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions. In me is thy righteousness found. I am thy strength. Return, return unto me and I will pardon. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” Third, the Word of the Lord performed its work in Peter. — “And Peter remembered the word of Jesus” (Matthew 26:75). If we do not remember the Word that has been preached unto us, all is lost (1 Corinthians 15:2). We cannot escape the wrath of God if we let the gospel slip through our ears without effect (Hebrews 2:1-3). Yet, we are sure to do so, unless God the Holy Spirit be our Remembrancer. It was the Word of God, graciously and effectually brought home to Peter’s heart, that worked repentance in him. We must never presume that the Word of God has no effect because it has no immediate effect upon the hearts of those who hear it (Isaiah 55:11; Ecclesiastes 11:1). Peter was not immediately restored by the Word he had heard, even when he was made to remember it. But he was restored. The Word of God never returns to him void. Fourth, Luke tells us of the Savior’s work as Peter’s Advocate and Intercessor. — “I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not” (Luke 22:32). As a great High Priest and Intercessor, the Lord Jesus Christ prayed for Peter’s preservation in faith and restoration by grace, even before he fell! That same great High Priest is our Advocate on high. He intercedes for us now, and has interceded for us from eternity (1 John 2:1-2). These thoughts thrill my heart and flood my soul with joy, gratitude, and praise. The Lord Jesus Christ is full of tenderness and mercy.

His compassions fail not. They are new every morning! Jesus Christ is a faithful Savior! If you are a true believer, you may be assured of this fact: Your sins will never separate you from your Savior! You never shall, for any reason or by any means, be separated from his love, banished from his presence, put outside his favor, lose his mercy, cease to be the object of his care, or fail to be kept by his saving power! Peter’s Restoration The Lord’s work for Peter and upon Peter was effectual. It accomplished its design. Peter’s heart was restored. Satan had run him through his sieve, but Peter lost nothing in the process but chaff. Thus Satan himself was used as an instrument of good for Peter. Peter’s trial and his fall were not accidents. Satan ran God’s child through his rough sifter; but Peter lost. He came out of this thing a much better man than he was before, as is clearly displayed in Acts chapters 2 and 4. Even this tragic affair was under the control of God’s sovereign providence and according to his purpose of grace. The devil is God’s devil. That fiend of hell is the unwilling, unwitting vassal of the Almighty (Isaiah 14:12-27). The dragon of hell is as much included in all things working together for good to God’s elect as the angels of light (Romans 8:28). “Peter went out.” — Once the fire was restored in his soul, he no longer wanted or needed the fire, which the Lord’s enemies had kindled. He immediately forsook those who had turned his heart from his Lord. As he went out of the place, Peter “wept bitterly.” Sin is no light thing to the regenerate soul. Convulsive weeping came upon Peter when he realized what he had done. He could not stand himself. His heart was crushed within him (Psalms 51:17; 1 John 1:9). Then, at the time appointed, the Lord Jesus came to Peter, to convince Peter that his love for him was real (John 21:15-17; 1 John 4:19). Needed Lessons Obviously, there are some lessons in this sad piece of history that we need to learn, lessons we ought to ask God the Holy Spirit to graciously apply to our hearts. Remembering Peter’s fall, let us learn something about ourselves. We are all too much like Peter. We are fickle, sinful wretches by nature. There is no evil in the world of which you and I are not capable. Let us not be presumptuous, proud, and self-confident; but watch and pray (1 Corinthians 4:7; 1 Corinthians 10:12). Knowing that we are such sinful creatures ourselves, we should never be severe with our erring, fallen brethren. Here we are again reminded that, “Salvation is of the Lord.” From start to finish, salvation is by the grace of God alone. Our only standing, our only acceptance, our only righteousness is Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. God’s grace is free and immutable. It is effectual and indestructible. Bless his name, God’s grace is sufficient! What blessed security our souls have in Christ! Nothing can ever severe us from our Savior. “Once in Christ, in Christ forever!” All who are saved by grace are kept infallibly secure in Christ. All who are in Christ are as secure as the very throne of God (John 10:26-30). We are secure because God our Savior is faithful (2 Timothy 2:13-14). His grace is sure (Mark 16:7). The Lord Jesus Christ will not leave his own; and he will not let his own leave him (Jeremiah 32:38-40). — “He abideth faithful!” Even in the teeth of our most horrible sins against him, the Son of God urges us to confidently trust him. It was in anticipation of this very fall that the Lord Jesus said to Peter, “Let not your heart be troubled: Ye believe in God, believe also in me” (John 13:38 to John 14:3). “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Cling to Christ always. As often as you fall, return quickly to your Savior. He will receive you. He has forgiven you. He will be gracious to you. He will forget your fall.