Matthew 26 Commentary
The Son of Man becomes the Servant of Isaiah 53. He will be “despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.” We doubt if the disciples fully understand the message. But we understand it. The LORD Jesus has repeatedly communicated to us the events of Calvary long before the actual events.
The context of Matthew is that the LORD Jesus Christ comes in to usher in the Kingdom. Jesus is the King – the king in the line of Israel’s great kings like David. This is one big castle that has crumbled down right in the face of Judas. We can understand the confusion but not the evil.
Probably the information that the Son of Man would be crucified is too much for Judas. They have followed a hoax, a lie. Their hopes, ambitions, and aspirations are all gone. He could as well cash in; he should not lose out completely. It is difficult to understand Judas’ mindset at this time but regardless, the news of the kingdom of heaven isn’t exactly the expected type.
On the other end are the chief priests and elders of the people. They have schemed against Jesus. He must die. What a perfect match! For a fee of 30 pieces of silver, Judas sells his master – exactly as per the scriptures! Zechariah 11 verse 12. You would guess Isaiah and Zechariah weren’t part of what the teachers of the Law taught in their lecture rooms!
The identity of the woman who poured very expensive perfume on Jesus’ head is revealed in the other gospel we shall read not too long from now. So is the identity of the specific disciple who complained about the ‘waste’. Matthew has his own focus and he will not bother us with such details. Regardless, the expensive perfume (very expensive) and the woman who poured it are a reverse playback of the rich young man. This woman has done what the rich young man couldn’t do. At the same time, the disciples (one specific disciple according to the gospel of John) play the role of the rich young man.
His reference to the works of charity among the poor is a decoy. Works of righteousness would still be a very weak base for complaining, though we know it wasn’t anything to do with it. Of course, works of righteousness have a good case when performed from a transformed heart. But we all know this disciple was motivated by greediness!
Much of the help we render today is transactional. I give in the hope of receiving. It is never to honor the LORD! Ponder it. We aren’t too far from Judas’ greediness!
Then we have an important event at a certain man’s house: the Last Supper. It is the Passover! The lamb will be slaughtered, but before that is done, we have objects representing the lamb. The bread and the wine represent the body of Jesus and the blood of Jesus, respectively. We have heard this before. He is the bread of life! He is the living juice! Those that drink it never have the need to drink again. All the pieces are coming together.
This blood can be consumed. The only blood that can be consumed! Remember this very strict law concerning blood! No Israelite was allowed to eat or drink blood. Leviticus 7 verses 26 and 27. Jesus is the only source of life. He is the only life that humanity can have.
“‘I will set my face against any Israelite or any foreigner residing among them who eats blood, and I will cut them off from the people. For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life. Therefore I say to the Israelites, “None of you may eat blood, nor may any foreigner residing among you eat blood.” Leviticus 17 verses 10 to 12.
The rules have changed! The Law has flipped!
You can read verse 29 and know that a time will come when the disciples will drink the “fruit of the vine” with their Master. Never mind the processes and events in between!
To be continued tomorrow.
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