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Matthew 26:1-16
Jesus wraps us his sermon to the disciples regarding the end times, with a reminder that in just 2 days at Passover, he will be delivered up and crucified. This must have been a shocking contrast to his message about returning as King. Meanwhile the Jewish leaders are plotting to kill him. Through these verses, we see 3 different heart responses to Jesus: The religious leaders acting out of fear and control, a woman offering an act of quiet, extravagant love, and Judas choosing a transactional relationship.
When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, 2 “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”
3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4 and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. 5 But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.”
6 Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. 8 And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9 For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12 In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”
14 Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.
Matthew 26:1-16
While human leaders believe they are in control, God's plan moves forward seamlessly. Jesus is in control. Our response of love toward Jesus looks foolish to the world. In contrast, Judas sells out to the world, because being near Jesus Is not the same as knowing him.
Discussion Questions
D&A (Discipleship & Accountability)
Break up into smaller groups for prayer.
Jesus wraps us his sermon to the disciples regarding the end times, with a reminder that in just 2 days at Passover, he will be delivered up and crucified. This must have been a shocking contrast to his message about returning as King. Meanwhile the Jewish leaders are plotting to kill him. Through these verses, we see 3 different heart responses to Jesus: The religious leaders acting out of fear and control, a woman offering an act of quiet, extravagant love, and Judas choosing a transactional relationship.
When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, 2 “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”
3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4 and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. 5 But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.”
6 Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. 8 And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9 For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12 In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”
14 Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.
Matthew 26:1-16
While human leaders believe they are in control, God's plan moves forward seamlessly. Jesus is in control. Our response of love toward Jesus looks foolish to the world. In contrast, Judas sells out to the world, because being near Jesus Is not the same as knowing him.
Discussion Questions
- How does knowing Jesus is in control bring us confidence in current events?
- Where do you need to trust God's timing for circumstances that feel unsettling?
- Worship is measured by the worth of Jesus, not by practical convenience. What are you holding back from Him? What can you give to Jesus as worship that will express your devotion to Him?
- In what ways do we serve Jesus only for what we hope He will do for us?
- How can we encourage you to press into genuine relationship with Jesus?
D&A (Discipleship & Accountability)
Break up into smaller groups for prayer.
- How is your time with God?
- What are you praying for?
- What are you struggling with?
- Who are you praying for to know Jesus?
- What gospel conversations have you had this week with someone who doesn’t follow Jesus?