Anesti Ministries

Chapters 21 to 27 of Matthew’s Gospel focus on the last week of Jesus’ ministry in Jerusalem.

Jesus took the punishment for our sin.

After celebrating the Passover with His disciples, Jesus prepares them for what is about to happen. The disciples had hoped that salvation would come through Jesus at this present time. But Jesus assures His disciples that His crucifixion is part of God’s great plan of salvation. The crucifixion must take place to fulfil the prophecy in Zechariah 13:7. God’s people can only be restored through the death of the Messiah. But His death will not be the end. Jesus instructs His disciples to meet Him in Galilee, the place where He called His first disciples (Matthew 4:18). Even though the disciples are determined not to abandon Him, Jesus knows that God’s word in Zechariah will be fulfilled.

The name Gethsemane means “olive press”. As Jesus prays, His spirit is crushed by the weight of impending suffering. While we may think that the cup refers to the cup at Holy Communion. The Bible also mentions another cup. Jeremiah 25:15-16 and Revelation 14:8-10 mentions the cup of God’s wrath that is poured out upon the nations. When Jesus hung on the cross, He drank the full cup of wrath that was meant for us. The cross is a picture of the punishment we deserve for our sin. Jesus drank our cup of wrath and gave us His cup of redemption.

Jesus’ example teaches us what it means to fully submit to God’s plan. Very often when God gives us an assignment, we pray for the easiest way out. Jesus’ prayer teaches us that we can pour out our struggles before God. But surrendering means laying down our personal right to choose. Surrendering means embracing God’s perfect will for us even when it is dfficult.

Jesus willingly surrendered Himself.

Although Jesus was innocent, He did not resist arrest. Isaiah 53:7 speaks of how the Messiah willingly goes to the cross for our sake. This is the greatest expression of love! That an all powerful God suffered and died for you and me.

Jesus’ example also teaches us how to respond to those who betray us. Even though Jesus knew that Judas was about to betray Him, He never stopped loving him. Jesus still addressed Judas as friend. As disciples of Jesus, we are never to resort to violence to harm others. Even when Jesus could have protected Himself first, He still brought healing to others. Jesus could have resisted arrest by calling an army of angels to rescue Him. But He went to the cross willingly. At the time when He needed support, His closest companions abandoned Him. Jesus understands how it feels to be betrayed by a person you trust. Jesus knows how you are feeling when you are abandoned by your closest friends. He promises that in your lowest moments, you are not alone. He is there with you. And He will never leave you or forsake you.

Jesus is the sinless Passover lamb.

Despite many accusations, Jesus was innocent. He is the spotless Passover lamb that was sacrificed to take away the sins of the world (Exodus 12:5, John 1:29). The only way the religious leaders could find fault with Jesus was to twist His words. Jesus kept silent even when He was wrongly accused. He never denied His identity as God’s Son even when His life was at risk. Jesus’ example gives us the courage to stand firm in our faith in the midst of persecution.

Peter was devastated when he heard the rooster crow three times. He remembered the words of Jesus in Matthew 26:34. At that time, Peter was certain he would never deny Jesus but he had failed Jesus. There are moments when you may feel like you have failed God. But God does not judge you by your failure, instead He looks at the blood of Jesus. The Israelites were spared from destruction because of the blood of the Passover lamb that was on their doorposts. The Lord saw the blood of the Passover lamb and spared everyone in the house (Exodus 12:23). You are righteous in God’s eyes because of the blood of Jesus that covers you (2 Corinthians 5:21).