Matthew - Week 85

Fulfilling Scripture 

READ 

Matthew 26:55-56 

55 Then Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I some dangerous revolutionary, that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there teaching every day. 56 But this is all happening to fulfill the words of the prophets as recorded in the Scriptures.” At that point, all the disciples deserted him and fled. 

Jesus faced the crowd and tried to use reasoning. Their minds were already made up, however. They had opportunity to arrest Him earlier but did not do so because of the fear of His followers and the public. Again, Jesus referred to the evening as fulfilling prophecy. Earlier when He told the disciples that they would desert Him, they all denied it. Now they ran for their own lives. 

REFLECT 

Think about the disciples going back on their vow to stay with Jesus even if all the others deserted Him. What would you have done in their situation? 

RESPOND 

To be reminded of Peter and each of the other disciples vowing not to desert Jesus, read Matthew 26:35. Before being hard on them, consider if you have sometimes failed to defend Jesus in front of those who despise Him.  

The Home of Caiaphas 

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Matthew 26:57-58 

57 Then the people who had arrested Jesus led him to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of religious law and the elders had gathered. 58 Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and came to the high priest’s courtyard. He went in and sat with the guards and waited to see how it would all end. 

The various trials now begin for Jesus. Jewish law did not permit trials at night but the hatred was so strong against Jesus that the Jewish leaders couldn’t wait to try Him. They were willing to break their own laws so they could condemn Jesus. Peter was close enough to see and follow Jesus at a distance. One wonders where the other disciples were. Peter came to the courtyard of the high priest where he sat with the guards. 

REFLECT 

What do you think is on Peter’s mind at this time? Do you think he is afraid? 

RESPOND 

Talk with a friend about the way some people will deny their own religious beliefs to carry out what they want to do. Some have been known to say, “I know this is contrary to what the Bible says I should do, but I am going to do it anyway.” This would be considered a sin of presumption—presuming on God’s grace. Read Hebrews 12:5-11 to see how God disciplines a disobedient child.  

False Witnesses 

READ 

Matthew 26:59-61 

59 Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find witnesses who would lie about Jesus, so they could put him to death. 60 But even though they found many who agreed to give false witness, they could not use anyone’s testimony. Finally, two men came forward 61 who declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the Temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’” 

While Peter is waiting in the courtyard to see what develops, inside the Sanhedrin is meeting. The Sanhedrin was the Jewish Supreme Court. Unable at first to find false witnesses against Jesus whose testimony was consistent, finally two came forward and referred to a statement they overheard Jesus make. 

REFLECT 

Think of the Jewish Supreme Court wanting to hear false witnesses testify against Jesus. They were not interested in hearing from any true witnesses. The hatred of Jesus was raging. 

RESPOND 

With a friend, read John 2:18-22 to see the context for Jesus’ statement about rebuilding the temple. To read about where the temple is today, read 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. Talk about how this should relate to you today.  

Making Demands 

READ 

Matthew 26:62-63 

62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Well, aren’t you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?”  63 But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I demand in the name of the living God—tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” 

The high priest could not take the suspense any longer so he stood and made a demand of Jesus. When Jesus remained silent about answering any of the charges, the high priest put Jesus under an oath. He demanded “in the name of the living God” for Jesus to say whether He was “the Messiah, the Son of God.” 

REFLECT 

Think of Jesus before the Jewish Supreme Court being charged and bullied by the religious leaders. It seems that Jesus will be forced to answer the high priest. What will He say? 

RESPOND 

Talk with a friend about yourselves being caught in a situation when you thought it was wise to keep quiet but were being forced to give an answer. What did you do? 

The Place of Power 

READ 

Matthew 26:64-66 

64 Jesus replied, “You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Blasphemy! Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your verdict?” “Guilty!” they shouted. “He deserves to die!” 

Jesus needed to respond to the high priest and said he had spoken the truth. Jesus also told what the Scriptures had prophesied concerning Him. The unbelieving religious leaders had already decided His fate, but now they had the excuse to add “blasphemy.” Then all present were convinced that Jesus deserved to die. 

REFLECT 

As Jesus had mentioned earlier, He could have called armies of angels to deliver Him, but He was willing to go through all of this for the joy set before Him (see Hebrews 12:2).  

RESPOND 

Read John 5:18 to see that the Jewish leaders criticized Jesus for breaking the Sabbath and understood that He was making Himself equal with God. Calling God His Father would not seem to mean that to us now, but it did to the Jews then. This reveals that those who say Jesus did not claim to be God is not what the Jews understood. This is why they wanted Him put to death.