Mathew 26 Lesson

JESUS’ LIFE BEGAN WITH SUFFERING

Shortly before the birth of Jesus, Joseph and Mary had to leave their home in Nazareth to register for the Roman census. 

The unpaved, hilly trails would have been a challenge for anyone, but for the pregnant Mary, the ninety-mile trip had to be especially difficult.

When they arrived in Bethlehem, Mary gave birth to Jesus, but there was no room for them in the Inn.  Therefore, Jesus had to be laid in a manger. 

The word “manger” comes from the Latin word for chew or eat. It refers to a trough where horses and donkeys and cattle ate. (Source: desiringgod.org)

Luke wrote about this in the following scripture:

• “While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.  And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” – Luke 2:6-7.

EVERYONE WILL SUFFER

The life of Jesus shows us that nobody is exempt from suffering.

• Not Jesus,

• Not the apostles,

• Not Joseph,

• Not Mary,

• And not us!

We have already established that when Jesus was born, He had to be placed in a cattle trough because there was no room at the Inn.

This was certainly a humble and challenging beginning for the Savior of the World! And things were about to get worse!

Shortly after Jesus’ birth, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said:

• “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.” – Mathew 2:13.

Joseph obeyed the angel and did exactly what he was asked to do. 

JESUS’ LIFE ENDED WITH SUFFERING

Jesus’ life on earth began with suffering, and it ended the same way.

Mathew Chapter 26takes place in the final days of Jesus’ life on earth.

In the following scripture, we see Jesus explaining to His disciples exactly what was about tohappen to Him:

• “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man is to be handed over for crucifixion .” - Mathew 26:2.

Jesus was understandably troubled as the time of His violent death approached.

Because He was both God and man, He was able to feel all the stress and anxiety that you would expect from somebody who was about to experience what Jesus was to go through.

In fact, the emotions were so strong, that Jesus suffered a rare condition known as hematidrosis. 

According to webmd.com, hematidrosis is caused by, “Extreme distress or fear, such as facing:

• Death,

• Torture,

• Or severe ongoing abuse.

JESUS PRAYED AND OBEYED

As the hour of His death approached, three timesJesus went away by Himself to pray.

He asked His Father to see if there was any way for Him to avoid the events that were about to take place.

That was the human side of Jesus.

Three times Jesus said to His Father:

• “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me.” (Mathew 26:39,Mathew 26:39,and Mathew 26:42). 

He ended each prayer by affirming His obedience to God.

• “Yet not as I will, but as You will.” – Mathew 26:39, Mathew 26:39, and Mathew 26:42. 

These nine words are the takeaway from today’s lesson.

"Yet not as I will, but as You will."

Just as Jesus did, we should bring our worries and problems before God and ask for His assistance.

But it does not end there.

Like Jesus, we need to finish our prayers by affirming our allegiance and obedience to God, whether we get the answer that we are hoping for, or not.

CONCLUSION

Jesus was not immune to adversity. 

He suffered more than any of us ever will. 

And yet, Jesus remained faithful and obedient to His Father, regardless of the circumstances that He found Himself in.

That is the takeaway for us!

Life will get hard. When it does, we need to follow the perfect example of Jesus who remained faithful and obedient until the end.

If we follow His example and remain faithful and obedient until the end, we will be rewarded with a home in Heaven for all eternity!

• “The one who endures to the end, he will be saved.” – Mathew 24:13. 

We will end today’s lessons with the following words spoken by the Apostle Paul in His second letter to Timothy. These are the same words that we hope to be able to say when our time on earth is done:

• “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” - 2 Timothy 4:7.