Matthew 26-28

Easter 2009

 

“Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He is risen from the dead and is going ahead of you…’” Matthew 28: 5-7 (Angel to the women)

The fact(s) of our faith has not failed, yet the force of our faith is so fragile! (Newsweek & President Obama on Muslims)

How did Jesus find his disciples as He faced arrest, persecution and execution on the cross? Most importantly, how are we as ‘committed followers’ found by Jesus today?

1. Delayed by Betrayal (Mt. 26:14-16, 27:1-5) – Judas used Jesus for money. For Judas, Jesus was not ‘the solution’, He was a means to ‘a solution’- the money solution (Mt 6:24). Finances were more important than Jesus! Satan used money to cloud Judas’ judgment until it was too late!

2. Drowsy (Mt 26:36-45) – At this crucial time, when asked to watch and pray the disciples responded by falling asleep. How sleepy are we when it comes to watching and praying? Jesus suggested that to dose off was to allow opportunity to “fall into temptation”. This lack of focus is an element of human weakness. (Heb. 12:2-3)

3. Deserted (Mt 26:56) – When Jesus needed them most, they were there the least. This goes to their physical being. They were frozen by fear, so they fled and failed to follow! Fellowship through FOLLOWSHIP is the key! Yet when the heat was turned up on their faith, they fled. (1 Cor. 15:58, 16:13)

4. Denial / Disassociate (Mt 26:69-75) – It’s becoming less popular to be identified as a devoted Christian. In the face of persecution/stress, do people know where we stand? Do we get closer to Jesus or do we distance ourselves? (Mt 10:32-33)