“The one thing I ask of the Lord - the thing I seek most - is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his temple.” Psalm 27:4 DELIGHTING in the LORD BIBLE STUDY SERIES DAY 1: At Bethany: Anointed and Worshipped Matthew 26: The Passion of the King His journey was coming to an end. His teaching was done. The Pharisees, Sadducees and scribes had all been silenced in their opposition to King Messiah. Their hardened hearts dictated their opposition and jealously of Jesus. They needed to remove Him from the scene and find a way to bring charges against Him. This was no surprise to Jesus. Nothing is. He knew what He came to do, and He knew all those who would reject Him and those who would fall into His arms with faithful, thankful and humble hearts. He knew the end, just as He knew the beginning. He came to do the will of His Father. Nothing would deter Him in His resolve, His faithfulness, or the journey set before Him. Two more days. It would all be completed in just two days. But much would happen in those two days. The religious rulers would plot Jesus’ execution. Jesus would be betrayed by those who pledged their allegiance and love to Him. Jesus would celebrate Passover with His disciples. He would wash their feet, eat with them and then introduce them to the Lord’s Supper and the New Covenant of grace. Jesus would spend the night in Gethsemane with His disciples and watch as the disciples failed Him and fell into the temptation of their flesh. Jesus would spend His final hours with His Father in prayer. He would be arrested, tried, and then beaten. He would watch Peter deny His friendship to Him and watch each of His disciples leave His side. Finally, the cross stood before Him as He became a sacrifice for all. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16,17) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If you recall, Matthew did not write chronologically. We are in the final week of Jesus’ earthly ministry, and it is believed that the events of chapter 26 all happened on Wednesday and Thursday of Passover week. We read in John 12:1, that the feast at Bethany took place “six days before the Passover,” so the anointing at Bethany is a flashback in time. Why did Matthew choose to put it here as he was describ- ing the events that lead up to Jesus’ crucifixion? Some believe it is to show the stark contrast between Mary’s heart of worship and love for Jesus to Judas’ deceit and betrayal. It also shows us Mary’s deep understanding for the events that were about to unfold. She sat at Jesus’ feet. She listened. She understood and she gave all that she had to her King Messiah. It was after this feast in Bethany that Judas would go to the priests and offer his help in bringing forth Jesus to His enemies. Let’s take a look at these events in Bethany. © Calvary Chapel Chester Springs Matthew • Chapter 26 • Day 1 DELIGHTING in the LORD BIBLE STUDY SERIES R RECEIVING God’s Word Open in Prayer Read Matthew 26:1-75 Today’s Scripture Focus: Matthew 26:1-16 E EXPERIENCING God’s Word 1. In verses 1-2, what did Jesus tell His disciples? This time He added something new. What specifics did He add? Passover was the ancient Jewish festival commemorating God’s deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It was followed immediately by the seven days‘ Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the entire festival was often called “Passover.” The Passover also pointed to Jesus Christ as the coming Deliverer and Savior of all people. 2. In verse 3, who is assembled and for what purpose? How would they take Jesus? a. Why did they not want their plan carried out during the Passover Feast? Explain. Joseph Caiaphas, a Sadducee, was the high priest during the whole of Pilate’s government. He was son-in-law of Annas, who had been deposed from the high priesthood by the Roman prosecutor Valerius, but still retained the title and considerable authority since the Old Testament deemed it illegal to transfer power from one high priest to the next until after one’s death. (Irwin’s Bible Commentary) John 12:1 tells us that Jesus’ anointing at Bethany took place six days before the Passover in the house of Simon the leper. We don’t know much about Simon but know that evidently he had been healed by Jesus of leprosy. We also learn that Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead, was present. Among them gathered were the 12 disciples and Martha. All four Gospels record Jesus’ anointing, although the account in Luke is thought to have happened on a separate occasion. We have to remember that Matthew often groups events together to relay a message. Remember that Jesus is just days away from the cross and each moment is part of His preparation for the difficult road ahead. © Calvary Chapel Chester Springs Matthew • Chapter 26 • Day 1 DELIGHTING in the LORD BIBLE STUDY SERIES 3. In verse 7, we read that a woman came to Jesus with an alabaster flask of costly fragrant oil. Read John’s account in John 12:1-3. Who was this woman? Looking at both accounts, what did she do? What happened after she did this? a. What do we learn about this woman from Luke 10:38-42 that shows her devotion to Jesus? b. What do we learn about this woman from John 11:28-32 that speaks to her heart toward Jesus? 4. What did her anointing of Jesus symbolize? What does it symbolize regarding what Jesus did for each of us? a. What does her anointing say about Mary and her devotion and respect for Jesus? Her anointing was an act of what toward Jesus? 5. In Matthew 26:8, there is an objection to what was being done to Jesus. Read John 12:4-6 for further information. Who objected and why? In the objection, what did he call what was being done to Jesus? “Is anything wasted which is all for Jesus? It might rather seem as if all would be wasted which was not given to him.” (Spurgeon) 6. What did Jesus call the anointing in Matthew 26:10? Why? a. How was Mary rewarded for her act of devotion? © Calvary Chapel Chester Springs Matthew • Chapter 26 • Day 1 DELIGHTING in the LORD BIBLE STUDY SERIES 7. Describe the events that happen in verses 14-16. What was Judas’ motivation? 8. Read Luke 22:3 regarding Judas Iscariot. Write what you learn. What does this tell you about Judas? We learned in the beginning of this chapter that the chief priests didn’t want to take Jesus during the Passover celebration. Their plan was to wait. Judas changed the plan when he came to them looking for payment in exchange for Judas’ betrayal of Jesus. The amount he demanded cannot be given an exact value, but from what we know, it was most likely a small amount, maybe five weeks wages, or $25. It was also the price paid for a slave accord- ing to Exodus 21:32. The offer made by Judas brought about the crucifixion of our Lord at the very time of the Passover, in fulfillment of the Divine plan set forth from the beginning! Can you see how God knows everything, even the wicked things, and uses them to fulfill His ultimate plan. Judas’ payment of 30 pieces of silver for the betrayal of Jesus is another fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy found in Zechariah 11:11-14. A ACTING on God’s Word Worship-it is at the very heart of our acts of love toward Jesus. To worship is to adore and pay divine honors and reverence to someone. It is to honor with extravagant love and extreme submission. As we are drawn to Him, as we come to a deep understanding of who He is and what He did for us, we respond to His love and grace with unabandoned worship. Mary’s anointing was the ultimate demonstration of worship to Jesus. Mary had listened to Jesus and took everything He said to her heart. Her response was worship, and she knew that Jesus’ time on earth was coming to a close. Mary gave what was precious and costly in worship to Jesus. What is precious and costly in your life? What are you willing to sacrifice in your devotion to Jesus? How do you give Jesus your best? How do you show Him worship through all that you have? © Calvary Chapel Chester Springs Matthew • Chapter 26 • Day 1 DELIGHTING in the LORD BIBLE STUDY SERIES In contrast, Judas called the costly oil being used on Jesus, waste. Precious sister, every moment that we are not worshipping Jesus is a wasted moment! There is no waste in Jesus economy. In closing, write a prayer to Jesus worshipping Him and asking Him to forgive you for wasted moments and prideful ambitions. D DELIGHTING in God’s Word Psalm 29:1-2 tells us to, “Give unto the LORD, O you mighty ones, give unto the LORD glory and strength.