Matthew 26-28

Part of the heaviness of readings in previous days allows us to take the crucifixion a little more slowly today, although the chapters are very lengthy. This may have been the first time you have read the gospel in a week. It has a different feel, doesn't it? The plot and trial are described in 26:1-27:31,the crucifixion in 27:32-66, and the resurrection 28:1-20.

THE PLOT
The gospels are consistent that Jesus is not surprised by the conspiracy. In fact, he prepares the disciples all along, but they are unable or unwilling to see it. The anointing of Jesus at Bethany is a gripping story. The alabastar jar was most likely the woman's dowry. Once the flask is broken, it can never be used again. The value may well have been nearly a year's wages. The disciples are "indignant" because of the waste of money. But Jesus understands the woman's heart and how her act is symbolic of what is to come. Many have misunderstood Jesus' words "the poor you will have with you always" as insensitive, but the other gospels point to a hypocrisy in the disciples (especially Judas) about money. Throughout history there has always been an extravagance about worship. How do you balance worship and practicality. Judas betrays Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, in contrast to the extravagance just demonstrated.

Matthew's version of the Lord's Supper is much shorter than John's gospel, which will take several chapters. The place for the Lord's Supper is prepared just as the donkey was ready for the Palm Sunday ride. Jesus announces that he has been betrayed and Judas confesses. Then Jesus sets up the institution of Holy Communion.

THE ARREST & RELIGIOUS TRIAL
They proceed to the Mount of Olives. Peter denies that he would deny Jesus and so do all the disciples. The truth is that they will all scatter for their lives. The scene at Gethsemane is full of pathos. The disciples are worn out and Peter, James and John, Jesus' inner circle are unable to keep awake. Seeing the unreadiness of the disciples and knowing the horror ahead, Jesus asks if there couldn't be another way. He commits himself to follow God's will no matter what. The preparation of Jesus is now over. Judas comes to the garden with a self-appointed mob of holy thugs, and kisses Jesus in act of heinous derision. How angry was Judas - at Jesus, at himself, at the horrible situation they were on. Jesus reminds those who came to arrest him that they are not in charge. Who cut off the high priest's servant's ear?

The religious trial is a sham with many illegalities. They tried him at night. They failed to have collaborating witnesses. They indict Jesus for blasphemy (a religious capital crime but not a Roman capital crime)for claiming to be the Son of God, which he did only indirectly. Matthew 26 finishes with the denial of Jesus by Peter. Who wouldn't in such a situation? The denial is followed by the suicide of Jesus. Matthew says he hung himself while Acts says he jumps to his death.

THE ROMAN TRIAL
Jesus or Barabbas? The Son of God or "son of papa" (what Barabbas means, an alias). Pilate enjoys playing them off each other. It is Matthew that records that Pilate's wife tells her husband to have nothing to do with the plot against Jesus.
The crowd calls for the crucifixion of Jesus. We are products of the movies so we picture a crowd of hundreds or thousands. How do we make sense that the crowd that cried "Hosanna" on Palm Sunday calls for crucifixion on Black Friday? While I have heard some people say that this is an example of just how fickle people can be, especially crowds. It is my conviction that these are not the same crowds at all. The orchestrators of the plot against Jesus have also decided who the crowd before Pilate would be. Most crucifixions were before very small crowds. Following Pilate's verdict for crucifixion, Jesus is led away for pre-crucifixion punishment. Remember that crucifixion was more about keeping others from disobeying Rome than for punishment of the criminals - thus the gratuitous violence. Jesus is obliged to carry the cross bar (weighing about 100+ pounds)for his crucifixion up to Golgotha (the place of the Skull - the rocks on the hill seem to form the outline of a face). Jesus, due to the torture of the mob and the soldiers is unable to carry his cross, so Simon of Cyrene carries the cross for him.

THE CRUCIFIXION
Jesus is offered wine w/gall, a bitter drink meant to relieve some of the pain but also to prolong the agony. Crucifixions often lasted for several days. He refuses the drink. We know from other gospels that the designation "King of the Jews" was placed by the Romans over the protest of the Jewish religious leaders. But sedition or treason (claiming to be king rather than Caesar)was the crucifiable charge. The scene around the cross is of orchestrated and ridiculous mockery.

Matthew records only the cry of deriliction ("My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?"), which is a quote of Psalm 22:1. The crowd mishears him and says he is crying out for Elijah. Did God forsake Jesus? Some say so, that this is the moment when Jesus bore the sins of the world and God was unable to look upon sin. What those who teach that forget is that Jesus is the incarnation of God's love. The alienation and sense of abandonment Jesus experiences is really God taking on Himself the lostness and brokenness of humankind. Matthew records that an earthquake splits the curtain in the temple and opens the graves of people who become resurrection witnesses of Jesus.

THE BURIAL
Not all of Jesus' disciples were poor or social rejects. Joseph of Amrimathea takes his life in his hands and asks for the body of Jesus and put him in his family tomb. Matthew tells that religious authorities were afraid of a staged resurrection, so they ask that a Roman seal (24-hour guard by Roman soldiers) be placed for three days. Scoffers of the resurrection still argue that the resurrection actually was a theft. In chapter 28:11-15, the chief priests bribe the soldiers so that they will verify that the body was stolen.

THE RESURRECTION
Women are the first witnesses of the resurrection. Another earthquake moves the huge stone and the guards pass out. The angel of the Lord sits on the stone and tells the good news of the resurrection to the women. As the angel said, they meet Jesus on the way to Galilee. They are told to tell the disciples. Everybody meets at Galilee and there Jesus meets the disciples. Not everybody believes. John's gospel will give some names to those who believe and do not. Matthew finishes with the great commission, "Go and make disciples..." How would you have responded to Jesus' instructions if you were the disciples? How do you respond to them now?