Matthew 26:47-56 - Homilies By J.a. Macdonald

The submission of Jesus.

After the third time praying in Gethsemane, Jesus came to his slumbering disciples, and said, "Sleep on now, and take your rest"—the opportunity for watching is past. Note: Opportunities pass, never to return; therefore we should never fail to improve them in their passing. "Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners"—the hour of trial is come for which watchings should have prepared. "Arise, let us be going," not to run away from the crisis, but to meet it (cf. John 18:4 ). "Behold, he is at hand. that betrayeth me. And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, " etc . Note here, and admire—

I. THE SUBMISSION OF JESUS TO JUDAS .

1 . He might have avoided him.

2 . He endured his kiss.

3 . He called him " friend, " or " companion ."

II. THE SUBMISSION OF JESUS TO THE RABBLE .

1 . He might have resisted them.

(a) The "innumerable company of angels" are marshalled into ranks.

(b) The angels were to Elisha "chariots of fire and horses of fire," not only to secure him, but to consume his assailants (cf. 2 Kings 1:10-15 ; 2 Kings 2:11 ; 2 Kings 6:14-17 ; Psalms 104:4 ).

(c) If a single angel could destroy a hundred and eighty-five thousand Assyrians at a stroke ( 2 Kings 19:35 ), what might not "twelve legions" do?

2 . He forbade an appeal to the sword.

(a) It was needless, for Christ could have received succour from his Father. God has no need of our sins to bring about his purposes.

(b) It was dangerous, viz. both to himself and his fellow disciples. For "he that; takes the sword shall perish by the sword."

(c) It evinced ignorance of the Scriptures. They teach that the way to glory is through suffering rather than through fighting. Peter would have the end without the means

(d) Peter's unsanctified zeal was another step toward his fall, by increasing his subsequent fear of detection.

3 . Instead of resisting, he reasoned.

III. THE SUBMISSION OF JESUS TO GOD .

1 . For the vindication of his truth.

(a) unfaithfulness,

(b) unkindness,

(c) ingratitude,

(d) folly.

For why should they through fear of death forsake the Fountain of life (see John 6:67 , John 6:68 )? But this desertion was to be a part of Messiah's suffering (cf. Job 19:13 ; Psalms 38:11 ; Isaiah 63:3-5 ).

2 . For the vindication of his goodness.

Reflect: Are there not still found among the disciples:

1 . Those who betray Christ and his cause?

2 . Who deny him and his people?

3 . Who abandon him, his cause, his people, and his truth?—J.A.M.