Matthew 26:57

 Matthew 26:57 says, And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.  Jesus was brought before the high priest, in the presence of the scribes and elders, or the religious leaders of Israel in that day.  They would contend to know more than Jesus did, and we need to make sure that we never begin to put what we want to believe ahead of what God's word says.  Verse fifty-eight adds, But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.  Peter was no longer boldly declaring his undying faith, but was following at a distance.  We are not told that the other disciples even still followed at a distance.  We should never attempt to follow Jesus at a distance or to be a secret disciple, but we should boldly follow Him if we do and let the world know that we do.  Verse fifty-nine states, Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;  The religious leaders sought false witnesses in order to put Jesus to death.  They had no real charge to bring against Jesus, so they had to seek false testimony.  There will never be a way to discredit Jesus based on the truth, so if anyone attempts to, it will have to be based on lies.  Verse sixty adds, But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,  Though the religious leaders were looking for a false witness, and many came, they were having a hard time finding something believable to charge Jesus with.  Verse sixty-one declares, And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.  Two witnesses finally came who said that Jesus said He could destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days.  They did not understand what He really meant.  If we attempt to discredit Jesus, it will have to be based on a failure to understand what He really has said.  Verse sixty-two adds, And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?  The high priest asked what the witnesses were saying against Jesus, and He did not respond.  If we have false things to say against Jesus, He may simply allow us to do so without any real response.  Verse sixty-three declares, 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.  The high priest demanded by the living God that Jesus tell them whether or not He was the Christ, the Son of God.  Jesus has already given us all the proof that there will ever be that He is the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God.  We simply have to accept this or not.  Verse sixty-four declares, 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.  Jesus told the religious leaders that the proof that they would have was when they saw Him sitting on the right hand of power and coming in the clouds.  In other words, it would be at His second coming that people will know beyond a doubt that Jesus is indeed Who He claimed to be.  Verse sixty-five states, 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.  The high priest accused Jesus of blasphemy and said they no longer needed witnesses.  Sometime, people today may attempt to discredit Jesus by misinterpreting His words. but as Christians, we had better hope that we are not the ones doing so.  Verse sixty-six adds, What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death. The high priest asked the people, or at least the scribes and elders, what they thought, and they said put to put Jesus to death.  If we do not accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord today, then we are putting His sacrifice to death in our life.  It is of no meaning if we do not accept His gift of salvation.

Matthew 26:47

 Matthew 26:47  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. Even as Jesus was speaking about the time being near for Him to be betrayed, one of the twelve disciples came with a multitude who had drawn swords and staves and were sent by the chief priests and elders.  Verse forty-eight states, Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.  Judas had given them a sign to look for so that they would know Who to arrest and he warned them to hold Jesus tight.  The sign was to be the One Judas kissed.  I believe Judas may have wanted to avoid being known as the one who betrayed Jesus by not just coming out and saying saying out loud which one of the others was Jesus.  At times, we may betray our relationship with Christ and hope that others do not find out, but even if they don't, we will never fool God.  Verse forty-nine continues, And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.  When Judas came to Jesus, he hailed Jesus as Master, and then he betrayed Him.  Judas' words sounded good, but his actions were what were important, just so it is with us.  Verse fifty declares, And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.  Jesus called Judas friend and asked him why he had come.  This would have been Judas' opportunity to confess his betrayal.  Instead, Judas stood by while the multitude took Jesus.  If we do betray our relationship with Jesus, He will still call us friend and give us an opportunity to repent.  Verse fifty-one states,  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.  One of Jesus' disciples, Peter we know from another gospel account, drew his sword and cut off a part of the ear of one of the servants of the high priest.  Peter was always quick to act, but often he was not following God's will but was acting out of his own ego we might say.  If we make a bold action for God, we need to first make sure that it is what God wants us to do.  Verse fifty-two declares, 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.  Jesus told Peter to put away his sword and warned him that those that live by the sword would die by the sword.  I don't believe that this means that we are never to fight against evil, but that when we do take up the sword that we had better be sure that what we are doing is in accordance with God's will.  Verse fifty-three adds, Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?  Jesus asked Peter if he did not think that Jesus could pray and the Father would send twelve legions of angels to protect Him.  Jesus was here to sacrifice Himself for the sins of mankind, and He did so willingly.  Verse fifty-four continues, But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?  Jesus then asked Peter if He called for the angels to rescue Him, how could the scriptures concerning the Messiah be fulfilled.  Verse fifty-five says, 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.  Jesus asked the multitude if they came against Him as thieves with swords and staves when He sat daily in the temple teaching.  Jesus had not been hiding Who He was nor where He was, and He doesn't today.  Verse fifty-six states, But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.  This was done to fulfill the scripture.  Then, we are told that the disciples forsook Jesus and fled.  If we are a follower of Christ, and things begin to get tough because of that fact, how will we react?  Will we stand firm or forsake Jesus and flee? 

Matthew 26:36

 Matthew 26:36 says, Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.  After declaring that they would never forsake Him, Jesus came to Gethsemane and asked the disciples to sit while he went to pray.  Verse thirty-seven adds, And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.  Jesus took Peter, James and John on with Him a little farther.  Jesus began to really feel the heaviness of what awaited Him, and was very sorrowful.  I believe that we sometimes forget that Jesus was a man in every aspect of what this means, and the choice was still His to make about dying on the cross or not.  Verse thirty-eight declares, Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.  Jesus told Peter, James and John that He was sorrowful even to the point of death and asked them to wait where they were and watch with Him.  There was no one attempting to physically attack Jesus, and all these three were asked to do was wait and watch with Jesus.  We may at time declare how strong we are in the Lord and yet fail in the simplest of tasks that He calls us to do.  When the disciples declared their undying loyalty to Jesus they were speaking from their own strength and not from the leadership and strength of God.  Verse thirty-nine adds, 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.  Jesus went a little farther by Himself, fell on His face praying and asked if there was any other way for people to be saved to let that happen.  I believe that we sometimes fail to understand that this was a real request by Jesus and not just some empty prayer.  Verse forty states, And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?  When Jesus returned to the disciples, He found them asleep.  Jesus asked Peter, who was always so bold, if he could not watch with Him for even an hour.  How often might we be found to be spiritually asleep in the world today, unable to remain alert for God even when nothing bad is even going on at the moment?  Verse forty-one adds, Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.  Jesus told Peter, and James and John as well, to watch and pray that they might not enter into temptation.  This is still a warning to us toady.  If we begin to follow in the flesh, we may fail spiritually.  Verse forty-two says. 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.  Jesus went away alone again, and repeated His petition to the heavenly Father.  When we have a great concern today, we need to bring it to our heavenly Father.  Verse forty-three declares, And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.  When Jesus returned to the three disciples, He found them asleep again because their eyes were heavy.  They were relying on physical strength and not spiritual power.  When we attempt to do things for God by our physical strength alone, God may find us spiritually asleep.  Verse forty-four adds, And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.  Jesus left them asleep this time and went again to pray, praying the same thing again.  Hopefully Jesus will not leave us spiritually asleep today, but will awake us when necessary.  Verse forty-five continues, Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, take your rest, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.  When Jesus returned to the disciples, He told them to sleep on because the hour was at hand for Him to be betrayed.  Verse forty-six concludes, Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.  Jesus then told them to rise and for them to be going because the one who was going to betray Him was at hand.  Jesus had accepted what was about to happen, and now He knew that there was no other way for mankind to be redeemed to God.  We want to be with those standing with Jesus and not with the ones who betray Him.

Matthew 26:26

 Matthew 26:26 says, 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.  Jesus took the bread that they were eating, blessed it and told the disciples to eat it, that this was His body.  He did not state that it literally became His body somehow as some people believe, but I believe meant that it represented His body instead.  There is nothing supernatural or miraculous that happens to the bread when we observe the Lord's Supper, but it simply symbolic.  Verse twenty-seven states, And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;  Verse twenty-eight adds, For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.  Jesus took the wine and blessed it and told the disciples to take it and drink it all.  As with the bread, the wine did not become the actual blood of Christ but was symbolic the blood of Christ.  Jesus told the disciples that His blood, represented by the wine, was His blood for the new testament between mankind and God.  When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we have to accept all that this means, and that is that He gave His body and His blood to bring forgiveness of sin to all who would believe in Him.  Verse twenty-nine declares, 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.  Jesus said He would not drink any more of the fruit of the vine until He did so in His Father's kingdom.  Jesus time on earth was coming to an end.  Verse thirty adds, And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.  Once they had completed this first communion meal, they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.  Once we have completed the observance of the Lord's Supper, then we are to go out and continue to work for God and His glory.  Verse thirty-one declares, 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.  Jesus warned His disciples that they would be offended by what was about to happen to Him and scatter.  The disciples were still looking for an earthly kingdom to be ushered in by Jesus, and they were looking to be a part of the leadership of that kingdom.  We should never attempt to follow Jesus for earthly benefits, but must follow Him by faith no matter what happens in this world.  Verse thirty-two adds, But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.  Jesus said that after He had risen again and the disciples had scattered that He would gather them again into Galilee.  The only difference then was that the disciples would then know Who Jesus really was.  We today must acknowledge Who Jesus really is in order to be saved.  Until then, we are just like sheep scattered without a shepherd.  Verse thirty-three says, Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.  Peter boldly proclaimed that even if everyone else denied Jesus that he would not.  Peter was speaking from self pride and not from actual faith.  Verse thirty-four declares, Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.  Jesus told Peter that not only would He leave but that He would deny Him three times before morning.  When we act out of self pride we set ourselves up for failure in our relationship with Christ.  We must always listen to what God tells us and follow His direction to be successful in His kingdom, and even then we must do it through believing in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse thirty-five states, Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. Peter said that Jesus was wrong, and then all the disciples agreed with Peter.  We must never think that we know more than God does, but must simply come to Him through a saving knowledge of Christ.

Matthew 26:14

Matthew 26:14 says, Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,  Judas, one of the twelve disciples who had been the closest to Jesus went to the chief priests.  We may find that some of those today who claim to be closest to Jesus never really were.  Verse fifteen adds, 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.  Judas asked the chief priests what they would give him to deliver Jesus to them.  Today, we sometimes hear that Judas was simply attempting to get Jesus to show the world Who He really was, but he Bible never even hints at this.  Had Judas been doing this, he would have not been negotiating for a price to betray Him.  Too many times material things become more important than to someone than a real relationship with Jesus Christ.  Verse sixteen continues, And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.  After getting the money to betray Jesus, Judas began to look for an opportunity to do so.  Again, I believe that had Judas simply been trying to force Jesus' hand, he would have simply done so immediately without looking to do so without being found out.  Verse seventeen says, 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?  On the first day of the feast, the disciples came to Jesus asking Him where they should prepare for the Passover meal.  If we have questions about anything, especially about worship services, we need to go to God for the answers.  Verse eighteen declares, 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.  Jesus told the disciples to go into the city to a certain man and tell him that Jesus' time was at hand and that He and His disciples would keep the Passover at his house.  We are not even told what the man's name was, but he played an important part in the life of Jesus.  The world may never know our name and what we have done for Jesus, but still we must simply be obedient to His plan for our life.  Verse nineteen adds, And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.  The disciples did as Jesus instructed them, and so did the man whose house they went to.  Verse twenty states, Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.  That evening, Jesus sat down for the Passover meal with the disciples.  This would have seemed like any other Passover meal.  Verse twenty-one declares, And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.  During the meal, Jesus told the disciples that one of them would betray Him.  This is something that we as professed followers of Christ never want to hear, and if we have a real relationship with Him, we never should have to worry about it happening.  Verse twenty-two adds, And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?  The disciples were very sorry, and all began to ask if he was the one.  Verse twenty-three declares, And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.  It would seem that this somehow set Judas apart from the others, but I believe that Jesus was saying that it was one of the disciples.  If they had a common pot, all would have been dipping in with Jesus it would seem to me.  Verse twenty-four adds, 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.  People today may not physically betray Jesus, but the warning is still just as real.  Woe to him by whom the Son of Man, Jesus Christ, is betrayed.  Verse twenty-five declares, Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.  Judas asked Jesus if it was him, not because he didn't know this, but to see if Jesus did I believe.  We know if we have betrayed Jesus, and we don't need to ask Him if we have.  Jesus replied to Judas, "Thou hast said."  Jesus did not state outright that it was Judas, but let him know that He knew it was.

Matthew 26:1

 Matthew 26:1 says, And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples,  Verse two adds, Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.  After Jesus finished teaching the disciples the parables, He told them what was about to happen.  In two days, at the feast of the Passover, He would be betrayed to be crucified.  Verse three states, 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,  The chief priests, scribes and elders were all gathered at the palace of the high priest.  We might wonder why the high priest had a palace when Jesus didn't even have a house to call His own.  We should not serve God for material riches.  Verse four adds,  And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.  These religious leaders had gathered, not to worship Jesus but to conspire as to how to take Him with subtilty and kill Him.  These were not just some of God's chosen people but the religious leaders of His chosen people.  Verse five declares, But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.  The religious leaders were afraid to take Jesus on the feast day.  If the religious leaders today were to turn against God, we need to hope that the average Christian will not and that they would be afraid to do too much against Him.  Verse six says, Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,  While the religious leaders were in the palace of the high priest, Jesus was in the home of Simon the leper.  This is quite a contrast.  Verse seven adds, 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.  While Jesus was there, a woman came to Him with an alabaster box of oil and poured it over His head while He was eating.  This was done as an act of honor or worship to Him.  Verse eight states, But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?  When the disciples saw this, they were indignant at the woman, asking what purpose this served.  Verse nine adds, For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.  The disciples said that this oil could have been sold for a lot and the money given to the poor.  Giving to the poor is a good thing, but not if we do it in place of worshipping God.  Verse ten declares, When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.  Jesus asked the disciples why they were bothering the woman, because she had done a good work upon Him.  It is not our responsibility to question the way others sincerely worship Jesus.  Verse eleven adds, For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.  This could be viewed as Jesus not being concerned with the poor, but it was instead another warning that He would soon be crucified.  For us today, as followers of Christ, we may not have Jesus with us physically, but we have the Holy Spirit with us always.  Verse twelve continues, For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.  Jesus said that the woman had anointed Him with the oil to prepare for His burial, though she may not have intended it for that purpose.  Then verse thirteen concludes, 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.  Jesus said that wherever the gospel was preached, what the woman had done would also be know.  We do not include it in the gospel message, but when a person accepts Jesus as Savior and Lord, then that person should study the Bible and they will know what the woman did for Jesus.

Matthew 25:31

 Matthew 25:31 says, When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:  When Jesus returns, all His angels are coming with Him. The whole world will take note.  Verse thirty-two adds, And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:  At that time, all nations will appear before Christ, and He will separate them as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.  Verse thirty-three declares, And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.  The sheep will be on the right side and the goats on the left.  Verse thirty-four adds, Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:  The sheep, those on the right side, will be told to come, since they are blessed by the Father, and inherit the kingdom prepared for them since the foundation of the world.  They will be blessed because of their relationship with Christ and not because of some inherent goodness.  Verse thirty-five states, For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:  Verse thirty-six adds, Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.  These things were all done after people accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord and not for reward.  We may do a lot of good things, but if we deny Jesus, then they will not be rewarded.  Verse thirty-seven declares, Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?  Verse thirty-eight adds, When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?  Verse thirty-nine continues, Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?  The righteous, those who are made righteous by their relationship with Christ, will ask when they did all these things, indicating once again that they weren't done seeking reward, but simply because that would be what God expects of His people.  Verse forty proclaims, And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.  The King will tell them that when they did it to the least of His brethren that they did it to Him.  God expects His people to be caring, sharing, and loving people.  Verse forty-one declares, Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:  Those on the left, the goats, will have quite a different fate awaiting them.  They will inherit an everlasting fire, because they have not accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord.  Verse forty-two says, For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:  Verse forty-three adds, I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.  Those on the left will be told that they did not take the actions that those on the right did, but again it is not just about the actions them self, but the actions done after accepting Christ and done for God's glory.  Verse forty-four asks, Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?  Those on the left will likewise ask when they failed to do these things, implying that they may have thought that they did.  Again, it is about the relationship with Christ before the action that is important.  Verse forty-five declares, Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.  Jesus will state that when they failed to do it to the least of these that they failed to do it to Him.  Verse forty-six proclaims, And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.  Those who are not righteous by their relationship with Jesus will go away to everlasting punishment, but those who have accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord, the only way that we can be made righteous, will go away to everlasting life.  We want to be one of the sheep and not one of the goats.