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Anointed for Burial
Matthew 26 starts out with Jesus telling his disciples again that his time to be betrayed has come, the story contrast to a scene where the high priests and religious leaders are meeting to plot Jesus's murder.
Meanwhile as Jesus is eating dinner a woman walks in and begins to pour some expensive oil on his head, Now we have not come across any oil anointing yet in our old testament readings - so lets dive into it's meaning for a moment.
Anointing is the act of applying oil to a person or object, typically as a sign of consecration, dedication, or blessing. The word "anoint" comes from the Old English word "anointen," which means "to smear or rub with oil."
The first mention of anointing with oil is found in Genesis 35:13-15 The Message
13 And then God was gone, ascended from the place where he had spoken with him.
14-15 Jacob set up a stone pillar on the spot where God had spoken with him. He poured a drink offering on it and anointed it with oil. Jacob dedicated the place where God had spoken with him, Bethel (God’s-House).
Exodus 30:22-33 describes the recipe and instructions for making a sacred anointing oil, which was used to consecrate the Tabernacle and its furnishings, as well as the priests who served in it. The oil was considered sacred and was only to be used for holy purposes.
Leviticus 8:10-12 describes the anointing of Aaron and his sons as priests. This act of anointing with oil was a way of setting them apart for their special role and service in the Tabernacle.
Psalm 23:5 mentions the anointing of the head with oil, which is a symbol of God's blessing and provision.
Isaiah 61:1 states, "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners"
The Hebrew word for anointing is "mashach" and it is used in the Old Testament. In the Hebrew Bible, anointing was often associated with the setting apart of a person for a special role or purpose, such as a king or a priest. Anointing with oil was also used to symbolize God's blessing and provision.
It's uses change in the new testament, the Greek word for anointing is "aleipho" and it is used in the New Testament. In the New Testament, anointing with oil is used to symbolize the presence of the Holy Spirit and to perform healing.
In Acts 10:38, it is written that "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him."
In James 5:14-15, it is written "Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven."
In 1 John 2:20, it is written "But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth."
In 1 John 2:27, it is written "As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him."
Unfortunately, this beautiful act of love by this woman is not received well by the disciples, they begin to grip and complain that it was a waist of money, In Matthew it expresses that it was all the disciples and in John 12:4, it states that it was Judas Iscariot who complained about the woman who anointed Jesus with expensive oil. This add some context to what happens next. I't important to note Judas was one of the disciples that was also in charge of their money.
John 12:6
The Message
4-6 Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, even then getting ready to betray him, said, “Why wasn’t this oil sold and the money given to the poor? It would have easily brought three hundred silver pieces.” He said this not because he cared two cents about the poor but because he was a thief. He was in charge of their common funds, but also embezzled them.
---
Zechariah 11:12-13 MSG
12 Then I addressed them: “Pay me what you think I’m worth.” They paid me an insulting sum, counting out thirty silver coins.
Judas without even knowing fulfilled a prophesy given by Zechariah 500 years earlier.
Matthew 26:14-16 MSG
“That is when one of the Twelve, the one named Judas Iscariot, went to the cabal of high priests and said, “What will you give me if I hand him over to you?” They settled on thirty silver pieces. He began looking for just the right moment to hand him over.”
-> some biblical context on why 30 pieces of silver
Exodus 21:32 mentions 30 shekels of silver as the price to be paid for a slave who is gored by an ox.
Leviticus 27:3-7 mentions 30 shekels of silver as the value assigned to a person between the ages of 20 and 60 for the purpose of redeeming them.
Joshua 24:32 mentions 30 pieces of silver as the price paid to buy a piece of land in Shechem. (the money ends up getting used to buy a plot of land.)
The Traitor - Last Supper
“On the first of the Days of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Where do you want us to prepare your Passover meal?””
Matthew 26:17 MSG
The Passover meal, also known as the Seder, is a traditional Jewish meal that commemorates the Israelites' liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt as described in the book of Exodus. According to the Bible, God sent the angel of death to kill the firstborn of all the Egyptians, but passed over the houses of the Israelites, who had marked their doors with the blood of a lamb, as instructed by God. The Israelites were then able to leave Egypt and journey to the Promised Land.
For Jews, the Passover meal is a celebration of freedom and liberation, and it is a reminder of God's protection and provision. The Seder is a ritual meal that includes specific foods and prayers that are symbolic of the Israelites' liberation. Some of the traditional foods include matzah (unleavened bread) which represents the haste in which the Israelites left Egypt, bitter herbs (Maror) to remember the bitterness of slavery and the horseradish, and a roasted lamb shankbone (Zeroah) to symbolize the Passover lamb.
Leviticus 23:6-8
6-8 “God’s Feast of Un-raised Bread, on the fifteenth day of this same month. You are to eat un-raised bread for seven days. Hold a sacred assembly on the first day; don’t do any regular work. Offer Fire-Gifts to God for seven days. On the seventh day hold a sacred assembly; don’t do any regular work.”
During the Days of Unleavened Bread, Jews are commanded to remove all leavened bread from their homes and to eat only unleavened bread, or matzah, as a reminder of the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt. Unleavened bread is symbolic of the purity and righteousness that God desires in His people, and it is also symbolic of the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt, having no time to let their bread rise. (we have discussed the leaven in previous post)
Jesus then sends his Disciples into the city with instructions on how to find a location to set up for their passover meal. This is where Jesus lets everyone know that he is going to be betrayed by someone in the room.
“After sunset, he and the Twelve were sitting around the table. During the meal, he said, “I have something hard but important to say to you: One of you is going to hand me over to the conspirators.””
Matthew 26:20-21 MSG
So we see Jesus doing this often, where he is bringing up prophesy in conversation, weather directly stating that it is a prophesy or just adding it into the conversation. I was asking myself, why in the world did Jesus need to inform everyone that there was a traitor amongst them, but then i realized it's in His Character to reference prophesy, Here he is bringing up the prophecy in Psalm 41:9 that says "Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me."
If the disciples were paying attention . . .
Psalm 41:9 ESV
9 Even my close friend in whom I trusted,
who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.
“Jesus answered, “The one who hands me over is someone I eat with daily, one who passes me food at the table. In one sense the Son of Man is entering into a way of treachery well-marked by the Scriptures—no surprises here. In another sense that man who turns him in, turns traitor to the Son of Man—better never to have been born than do this!””
Matthew 26:23-24 MSG
The Bread and the Cup
“During the meal, Jesus took and blessed the bread, broke it, and gave it to his disciples: Take, eat. This is my body. Taking the cup and thanking God, he gave it to them: Drink this, all of you. This is my blood, God’s new covenant poured out for many people for the forgiveness of sins. “I’ll not be drinking wine from this cup again until that new day when I’ll drink with you in the kingdom of my Father.””
Matthew 26:26-29 MSG
This is a very significant event in the christian tradition as this is where we get the sacrament of communion. It does have some other names such as Eucharist, Holy Communion, Holy Sacrament and the Last Supper.
The word "Eucharist" is derived from the Greek word "eucharistia," which means "thanksgiving." It is used in the New Testament to refer to the sacrament of Communion, in which bread and wine are consecrated and consumed as a memorial of Jesus' death and resurrection.
In the early Church, the Eucharist was celebrated in the context of a meal, similar to the Last Supper. This meal was called the "Agape" or "Love Feast," and it was a time of fellowship, teaching, and the sharing of the Eucharist. The Eucharist was a central part of the early Christian worship, and it was celebrated with great reverence and devotion.
Over time, the celebration of the Eucharist evolved and became more formalized. The Agape meal became separated from the Eucharist, and the latter came to be celebrated in a more solemn and ritualistic manner. The term "Eucharist" was used to refer to the sacrament as a whole, including the consecration of bread and wine and the Communion.
Paul explains whats going on here in 1 Corinthians 11:
23-26 Let me go over with you again exactly what goes on in the Lord’s Supper and why it is so centrally important. I received my instructions from the Master himself and passed them on to you. The Master, Jesus, on the night of his betrayal, took bread. Having given thanks, he broke it and said,
This is my body, broken for you.
Do this to remember me.
After supper, he did the same thing with the cup:
This cup is my blood, my new covenant with you.
Each time you drink this cup, remember me.
What you must solemnly realize is that every time you eat this bread and every time you drink this cup, you reenact in your words and actions the death of the Master. You will be drawn back to this meal again and again until the Master returns. You must never let familiarity breed contempt.
27-28 Anyone who eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Master irreverently is like part of the crowd that jeered and spit on him at his death. Is that the kind of “remembrance” you want to be part of? Examine your motives, test your heart, come to this meal in holy awe.
29-32 If you give no thought (or worse, don’t care) about the broken body of the Master when you eat and drink, you’re running the risk of serious consequences. That’s why so many of you even now are listless and sick, and others have gone to an early grave. If we get this straight now, we won’t have to be straightened out later on. Better to be confronted by the Master now than to face a fiery confrontation later.
33-34 So, my friends, when you come together to the Lord’s Table, be reverent and courteous with one another. If you’re so hungry that you can’t wait to be served, go home and get a sandwich. But by no means risk turning this Meal into an eating and drinking binge or a family squabble. It is a spiritual meal—a love feast.
This sounds like a scary thought, But it simply looks like this, when you are presented with the opportunity to partake in communion, simply look inward and acknowledge your need for grace and mercy, use that time to reflect on who you are in Christ and what Jesus was done for you.
(some definitions:
A sacrament is a religious ceremony or rite that is considered to be an outward sign of an inward grace or spiritual reality. In Christianity, there are seven sacraments: baptism, confirmation, Eucharist, penance, anointing of the sick, holy orders, and matrimony. These sacraments are believed to be instituted by Jesus Christ and are considered to be channels of God's grace to the believer.
To consecrate something means to make it holy or sacred, often through a religious ceremony or ritual. In many religions, the act of consecration is used to dedicate a person, place, or object to the service of a deity or higher power. This can include the consecration of a church, the ordination of a priest or bishop, or the dedication of a religious relic. The word "consecrate" comes from the Latin "consecratio", which means "to set apart as sacred".)
Gethsemane
“Then Jesus told them, “Before the night’s over, you’re going to fall to pieces because of what happens to me. There is a Scripture that says, I’ll strike the shepherd; dazed and confused, the sheep will be scattered. But after I am raised up, I, your Shepherd, will go ahead of you, leading the way to Galilee.””
Matthew 26:31-32 MSG
When Jesus says "I will strike the shepherd," He is referencing the prophecy of the Messiah in the Old Testament book of Zechariah. In Zechariah 13:7, the prophet writes "‘Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who stands next to me,’ declares the Lord of hosts. ‘Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; I will turn my hand against the little ones.’"
We also see Jesus predict that Peter will deny him three times, and peter very adamantly protesting this prediction. “Peter protested, “Even if I had to die with you, I would never deny you.” All the others said the same thing.” Matthew 26:35 MSG
This is a beautiful part of the story, and one that is a little hard to comprehend. many scholars and theologians believe that there is significant symbolic meaning in the account of Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. The name "Gethsemane" is derived from the Aramaic word "gath shemanim" which means "oil press" or "place of pressing" and it does have a symbolism to the events that took place there.
In the garden, Jesus is deeply troubled and distressed about the upcoming events of his arrest and crucifixion. He prays to God, asking if there is another way, but ultimately affirms his willingness to submit to God's will, saying "not my will, but yours be done." The imagery of the olive press, where olives are crushed and pressed to release the valuable oil, is often seen as a metaphor for Jesus' suffering and death, which would ultimately lead to the redemption of humanity through his resurrection.
The pressing of the olives is a process that requires great force and intense pressure, in the same way Jesus was going through an intense physical and mental pressure. The oil that is extracted is a symbol of the preciousness and value of the sacrifice Jesus was making, and the anointing oil is often used in the Bible as a symbol of the Holy Spirit and the sanctification of believers.
In this way, the Garden of Gethsemane serves as a powerful reminder of Jesus' ultimate obedience to God's will and his sacrifice on the cross as the means of redemption for humanity.
The disciples had a hard time staying awake, They didn't seem to understand the weight of the situation at hand, even tho Jesus had told them exactly was was about to take place, the disciples seemed to be wrapped up in their traditions around the holiday, The passover meal was a time to relax and be with family and eat - kind of like our Thanksgiving holiday we celebrate today, So they were probably stuffed and ready to sleep. But Jesus has some stern response to them sleeping while he was praying.
“When he came back to his disciples, he found them sound asleep. He said to Peter, “Can’t you stick it out with me a single hour? Stay alert; be in prayer so you don’t wander into temptation without even knowing you’re in danger. There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there’s another part that’s as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire.””
Matthew 26:40-41 MSG
-------- This happened three times. . .
The number three is a significant number in the Bible, appearing throughout both the Old and New Testaments. Here are a few examples of its significance:
The Holy Trinity: God is three persons in one - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Divine completeness: The number three is often associated with the idea of completeness. For example, the Bible speaks of God as being "complete" in three persons.
The Resurrection: Jesus rose from the dead on the third day.
The testimony of the Holy Spirit, Father, and Son: In the New Testament, the number three is often used to refer to the testimony of the Holy Spirit, the Father, and the Son.
The three days Jonah spent in the belly of the fish, and the three days Jesus spent in the tomb.
The three temptations of Jesus by Satan in the desert (Matthew 4:1-11).
The three times Peter denied Jesus before his crucifixion (Matthew 26:69-75).
The three parables of the lost coin, the lost sheep, and the prodigal son,
The three witnesses of the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms.
These are some examples of the significance of the number three in the Bible, but it is not exhaustive. The number three is also used in other ways and can have different meanings depending on the context.
“When he came back the next time, he said, “Are you going to sleep on and make a night of it? My time is up, the Son of Man is about to be handed over to the hands of sinners. Get up! Let’s get going! My betrayer is here.””
Matthew 26:45-46 MSG
With Swords and Clubs
“The words were barely out of his mouth when Judas (the one from the Twelve) showed up, and with him a gang from the high priests and religious leaders brandishing swords and clubs. The betrayer had worked out a sign with them: “The one I kiss, that’s the one—seize him.” He went straight to Jesus, greeted him, “How are you, Rabbi?” and kissed him.”
Matthew 26:47-49 MSG
This is a packed scene, Judas shows up with a mob and betrays Jesus, then "one of those with Jesus" pulls out a sword and cuts off someone's ear! Jesus gives a warning that those who use a sword are destroyed by swords (remember our definition of meek) and Jesus explains that if he wanted to he could call twelve companies of fighting angels, but that this is how it has to be. (as was laid out when Jesus was just praying)
Jesus then lets the mob know that they are fulfilling prophecy and goes with them to Caiaphas the Chief Priest.
False Charges
Jesus now finds himself in front of the Jewish Council being pressed with charges. The Jewish leaders want him dead. During this time, many come forward and lay down false accusation against Jesus, Two of the accusations that were both true and false at the same time were that Jesus claimed to be the Son of God and that he had claimed "I can tear down this Temple of God and after three days rebuilt it". These are true in the sense that Jesus is the Son of God, and did claim to be the Son of God, and it's false in the sense of an accusation because by using it as an accusation to justify putting Jesus to death, they are denying the truth about who Jesus is.
“Jesus kept silent. Then the Chief Priest said, “I command you by the authority of the living God to say if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” Jesus was curt: “You yourself said it. And that’s not all. Soon you’ll see it for yourself: The Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Mighty One, Arriving on the clouds of heaven.””
Matthew 26:63-64 MSG
After this interaction they claim blasphemy on Jesus and run with this and got the crowed riled up to Crucify Jesus. They begin spitting on Jesus and hitting him.
Denial in the Courtyard
“All this time, Peter was sitting out in the courtyard. One servant girl came up to him and said, “You were with Jesus the Galilean.””
Matthew 26:69 MSG
The story of Peter denying Jesus three times is found in all four Gospels (Matthew 26:69-75, Mark 14:66-72, Luke 22:54-62, and John 18:15-18, 25-27) and its inclusion in the Bible serves to serve as a warning and an example of the human tendency to deny or betray Jesus, even when we think we are committed to him.
The story of Peter's denial is significant because it shows that even the most devoted of Jesus' followers can fall short and fail him. Peter, who had previously claimed that he would die for Jesus (John 13:37), denies even knowing him when questioned by a servant girl. This is a reminder that even the most faithful and devout can fall short and that we all need grace and forgiveness.
The three denials of Jesus also have symbolic meanings, the number 3 is often used in the Bible to represent completeness, so the three denials could be seen as a complete rejection of Jesus. Additionally, the fact that the denials happen three times could also be seen as emphasizing the gravity of Peter's betrayal.
Moreover, the story is also included to show the human side of Peter and the other disciples, showing that they were not perfect and had their own weaknesses and failures, it is to show that even the closest followers of Jesus are not immune to sin and error, and it serves as a reminder that we all need God's grace and forgiveness.
“Then he got really nervous and swore. “I don’t know the man!” Just then a rooster crowed. Peter remembered what Jesus had said: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” He went out and cried and cried and cried.”
Matthew 26:74-75 MSG
Job 34
“Elihu continued: “So, my fine friends—listen to me, and see what you think of this. Isn’t it just common sense— as common as the sense of taste— To put our heads together and figure out what’s going on here?”
Job 34:1-4 MSG
So building off our our new speaker Elihu's speech from yesterday, he continues on.
Elihu starts off by repeating back to the group Job's claims to innocence, and then references to their knowledge that God can not do anything evil eluding it to how chickens always come home to roost and that if God were to hold his breath everyone would die for a lack of air.
Elihu's stance seems to change in this section, Yesterday Elihu seemed to side with job and was criticizing the three, and today he seems to be coming at job, coming into agreement with the three that perhaps Job is missing something.
““So why don’t you simply confess to God? Say, ‘I sinned, but I’ll sin no more. Teach me to see what I still don’t see. Whatever evil I’ve done, I’ll do it no more.’ Just because you refuse to live on God’s terms, do you think he should start living on yours? You choose. I can’t do it for you. Tell me what you decide.”
Job 34:31-33 MSG
Job 35
“Elihu lit into Job again: “Does this kind of thing make any sense? First you say, ‘I’m perfectly innocent before God.’ And then you say, ‘It doesn’t make a bit of difference whether I’ve sinned or not.’”
Job 35:1-3 MSG
In Job 35, Elihu continues to speak to Job, arguing that Job is not justified in accusing God of being unfair. Elihu states that Job's suffering is not a result of his righteousness, but of his own sins. He argues that God is just and righteous, and that Job should seek to be right with God rather than complaining about his suffering. Elihu also asserts that God is sovereign and can do as He pleases. He suggests that Job should humble himself before God and seek His favor. In the end, Elihu concludes that Job's friends have spoken well and that Job should repent and turn to God for help.
Elihu shifts from arguing that Job is not suffering as a result of his own righteousness, as Job had claimed, to arguing that God does not punish or reward people based on their actions. Instead, Elihu argues that God is sovereign and just, and that people should trust in Him and acknowledge their own insignificance. He also emphasizes that God does not listen to the cries of the wicked, but rather, the cries of the oppressed and the needy. Elihu's change in stance could be seen as him shifting from defending Job's innocence to emphasizing the sovereignty of God and the need for humility before Him, and the importance of aligning one's self with God's justice and righteousness.
Elihu says "““Well, I’m going to show you that you don’t know what you’re talking about, neither you nor your friends. Look up at the sky. Take a long hard look. See those clouds towering above you? If you sin, what difference could that make to God? No matter how much you sin, will it matter to him? Even if you’re good, what would God get out of that? Do you think he’s dependent on your accomplishments? The only ones who care whether you’re good or bad are your family and friends and neighbors. God’s not dependent on your behavior.” Job 35:4-8 MSG
He makes a good point here, What we do does not change who God is. This concept is echoed throughout the Bible, but some specific verses that demonstrate this idea include:
Malachi 3:6: "For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed."
Hebrews 13:8: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
James 1:17: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."
Psalm 102:27: "But you are the same, and your years have no end."
Isaiah 40:28: "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable."
Psalms 26
Psalm 26 is a psalm written by David. In this psalm, David declares his innocence and righteousness to God, asking God to examine him and prove his integrity. He also expresses his love for God and desire to worship in God's temple. He also pleads with God to be his guide and keep him safe from his enemies. He concludes by affirming his trust in God and declaring that he will continue to praise and glorify God.
This is a great Psalm to pray through -
“Examine me, God, from head to foot, order your battery of tests. Make sure I’m fit inside and out So I never lose sight of your love, But keep in step with you, never missing a beat.”
Psalms 26:2-3 MSG
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