Day 38: The Obedience of Jesus and the Gift of Redemption
Wednesday Rhythm
Bible Reading
Going Deeper
Bible Reading: Matthew 26:1–75
The Plot to Kill Jesus
1 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.”
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
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.”
Judas to Betray Jesus
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.
The Passover with the Disciples
17 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.
20 When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. 21 And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” 23 He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” 25 Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.”
Institution of the Lord’s Supper
26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
Jesus Foretells Peter’s Denial
30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” 33 Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”
Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
47 While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” 49 And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. 51 And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” 55 At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. 56 But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.
Jesus Before Caiaphas and the Council
57 Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. 58 And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, 60 but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward 61 and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’” 62 And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” 67 Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?”
Peter Denies Jesus
69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” 71 And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” 73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” 74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.
Going Deeper
The Obedience of Jesus and the Gift of Redemption
Matthew 26:28 ESV
“For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
Matthew 26 brings us to the center of the gospel. The chapter includes an act of costly devotion, betrayal, the Passover meal, the new covenant, Gethsemane, abandonment, false testimony, and Peter’s denial. Jesus is not only showing us what obedience looks like. He is giving Himself for our redemption.
The chapter opens with Jesus telling His disciples that He will be delivered up to be crucified. At the same time, the religious leaders plot His arrest, and Jesus receives an act of devotion in Bethany. A woman pours expensive ointment on His head while He reclines at the table.
The disciples call the act wasteful. They imagine the perfume could have been sold and the proceeds given to the poor. Concern for the poor is consistent with the teaching of Jesus, but their criticism fails to recognize the meaning of the moment. Jesus receives her action as preparation for His burial.
Her devotion recognizes the worth of Jesus in a way the disciples do not yet understand. Surrender is not always measured by efficiency. Love may look wasteful to people who do not see what the person of Jesus is worth. At the same time, this passage should not become an excuse for religious extravagance that neglects people in need. Jesus has repeatedly commanded practical mercy. This moment is unique because His death is near and the woman’s action points toward it.
Judas then goes to the chief priests and agrees to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. Matthew places devotion and betrayal close together. One person pours out something costly because Jesus is worthy. Another calculates what Jesus can be exchanged for.
Physical nearness to Jesus does not guarantee surrender to Him. Judas has heard the teaching, witnessed the miracles, traveled with the disciples, and shared the table. His proximity makes the betrayal more painful, not less possible. The chapter invites us to examine whether familiarity with Jesus has become a substitute for allegiance to Him.
At the Passover meal, Jesus takes familiar elements and gives them covenant meaning. Passover remembered God’s deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt. The blood of the lamb marked rescue, and the meal formed a people around the memory of God’s saving action.
Jesus takes bread, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it to the disciples as His body. He takes the cup and identifies it as His blood of the covenant, poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. The meal looks backward to God’s rescue from Egypt and forward to the cross, where Jesus accomplishes a greater deliverance.
The phrase “blood of the covenant” echoes Exodus 24, where covenant is ratified with blood. It also reaches toward Jeremiah 31, where God promises a new covenant marked by forgiveness and a heart transformed to know Him. The words “for many” echo Isaiah 53 and the servant who bears the sins of many.
The cross must not be reduced to Jesus setting a brave example under pressure. His example is real, but Matthew presents His death as saving action. In Matthew 20:28, Jesus says He gives His life as a ransom for many. Here, His blood is poured out for forgiveness. At the cross, He bears judgment, defeats the powers of sin and death, establishes the new covenant, and reconciles people to God.
Scripture gives several images to help us understand the cross. Sacrifice emphasizes atonement and forgiveness. Ransom emphasizes liberation. Victory emphasizes the defeat of evil and death. Covenant emphasizes restored relationship and a people formed by grace. Example shows the shape of self-giving love. These images do not need to compete. Together they reveal a gift too deep to describe from only one angle.
After the meal, Jesus tells the disciples that they will all fall away. Peter responds with confidence that even if everyone else fails, he never will. Jesus tells him that before the rooster crows, Peter will deny Him three times. Peter’s promise is sincere, but he overestimates the strength of his resolve.
Christian obedience cannot rest on confidence in our willpower. Strong feelings in a safe room may not survive pressure in a courtyard. We need grace, prayer, community, truth, and the sustaining work of the Spirit.
Jesus enters Gethsemane and tells Peter, James, and John that His soul is very sorrowful, even to death. He falls before the Father and asks whether the cup can pass from Him, while praying, “Not as I will, but as you will.”
The cup carries the biblical weight of suffering and judgment. Jesus does not approach it with emotional numbness. He names His anguish, asks for another way, and returns repeatedly to prayer. His surrender is honest enough to speak the pain and deep enough to obey the Father.
This is not a conflict between a reluctant Son and an uncaring Father. The Father and Son are united in the saving purpose. The Son willingly gives Himself, yet He experiences the full human horror of betrayal, violence, abandonment, and bearing sin.
The honesty of Jesus matters for how we understand obedience. Surrender is not pretending pain feels peaceful. Emotional anguish is not proof of spiritual failure. A person can trust God while grieving, shaking, receiving counseling, taking appropriate medication, asking for help, or admitting that obedience feels costly.
The disciples fall asleep while Jesus prays. Judas arrives with an armed crowd and identifies Jesus with a kiss. One disciple draws a sword, but Jesus refuses to build His kingdom through retaliatory violence. He reminds them that He could call upon the Father, yet the Scriptures must be fulfilled.
Jesus’ restraint is not weakness. He possesses authority and chooses the road of redemptive obedience. He is not powerless before the crowd. He gives Himself to accomplish what human force could never accomplish.
The disciples scatter. Jesus is taken before the high priest. False witnesses come forward, and the council seeks testimony that will justify His death. Jesus is mocked, struck, and condemned. Human institutions meant to protect truth become instruments of injustice.
Meanwhile, Peter waits in the courtyard. Three times he is identified as one of Jesus’ followers, and three times he denies it. When the rooster crows, he remembers the words of Jesus and goes out weeping bitterly.
Peter’s denial is not minimized. His failure is real, public, and painful. Yet Matthew will not end in the courtyard. The risen Jesus will still commission disciples who abandoned Him. Grace does not call failure good, but it refuses to let failure have the final word.
That hope matters because our confidence is not built on the reliability of the disciples. It is built on the faithfulness of Jesus. When His friends sleep, flee, deny, and betray, He continues toward the cross.
Hebrews 9 and 10 reflect on Jesus as the One whose sacrifice deals with sin decisively and opens access to God. Second Corinthians 5:21 speaks of Christ bearing sin so that we might receive righteousness in Him. Philippians 2 describes His obedient descent, death on a cross, and the Father’s vindication of the Son.
We should not move too quickly from Matthew 26 to instructions about what we must do. Before asking what we need to surrender, we remember what Jesus has done. He gives Himself before we give ourselves. He remains faithful where we have failed. He offers forgiveness before we clean up our record.
Only then do we ask what His grace is forming in us. Costly worship becomes possible because He is worthy. Honest prayer becomes possible because He understands sorrow. Obedience becomes possible because His Spirit is at work within us. Forgiveness becomes possible because His blood is poured out for the forgiveness of sins.
Christian obedience is not self-salvation through sacrifice. It is the response of a life reshaped by the obedient, crucified, and risen Savior.
Cross References for Further Study
Exodus 12
Exodus 24:3-8
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Isaiah 53
Hebrews 9-10
2 Corinthians 5:21
Questions to Carry
What does Jesus accomplish at the cross that I could never accomplish for myself?
How does the obedience of Jesus create and shape my obedience?