Jesus, the Son of God, came to offer Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity. The final chapters of the Gospel of Matthew (chapters 26-28) focus on the events leading up to Jesus’ death and His glorious resurrection. These moments are central to the Christian faith, showing how Jesus’ death was the ultimate atonement for sin and how His resurrection brought victory over death.
1. The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus (Matthew 26:14-56)
The story of Jesus’ atoning death begins with His betrayal by one of His own disciples, Judas Iscariot. Judas agreed to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, leading the religious leaders to arrest Him. Despite knowing what was coming, Jesus willingly submitted to God’s plan.
At the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed, expressing the deep anguish of His upcoming suffering. Yet, He prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39). Jesus’ willingness to surrender to God’s will marked the beginning of His journey to the cross.
Lesson: Jesus willingly faced betrayal and arrest because He was determined to fulfill God’s plan of salvation. His obedience to the Father, even in the face of great suffering, shows His deep love for humanity.
2. The Trial and Denial (Matthew 26:57-75)
Jesus was brought before the high priest and the Sanhedrin, where false accusations were made against Him. Despite being innocent, Jesus remained silent in the face of His accusers. Eventually, the high priest asked Jesus directly if He was the Messiah, and Jesus affirmed His identity, leading to His condemnation.
Meanwhile, Peter, one of Jesus’ closest disciples, denied knowing Jesus three times, just as Jesus had predicted. The betrayal, trial, and Peter’s denial all highlight the abandonment and loneliness Jesus experienced in His final hours.
Lesson: Jesus’ trial and the denial by Peter remind us that, even in His innocence, Jesus was condemned and abandoned. His suffering was necessary for the redemption of humanity, and His silence during the trial shows His humility and willingness to endure for the sake of others.
3. The Crucifixion of Jesus (Matthew 27:27-50)
Jesus was sentenced to death by crucifixion, a brutal and humiliating form of execution. Before being crucified, He was mocked, beaten, and made to wear a crown of thorns. Despite this unimaginable suffering, Jesus remained steadfast in His mission.
On the cross, Jesus bore the weight of the sins of the world. As He was crucified, He cried out, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46). In this moment, Jesus took on the separation from God that sin causes. His death was not just a physical suffering but a spiritual one, as He carried the burden of humanity’s sin.
Lesson: Jesus’ death on the cross was the ultimate act of love and sacrifice. He took on the punishment that humanity deserved, offering Himself as the perfect atonement for sin. Through His death, He made it possible for people to be reconciled to God.
4. The Burial of Jesus (Matthew 27:57-66)
After Jesus died, a wealthy man named Joseph of Arimathea asked for His body and laid it in a new tomb. The religious leaders, fearing that Jesus’ disciples might try to steal His body and claim He had risen, requested that the tomb be sealed and guarded.
Lesson: Jesus’ burial shows the finality of His death. He truly died, and His body was placed in a sealed tomb, emphasizing the reality of His sacrifice. But the story doesn’t end there.
5. The Resurrection of Jesus (Matthew 28:1-10)
Three days after Jesus was buried, Mary Magdalene and another Mary went to the tomb, only to find it empty. An angel appeared to them, announcing that Jesus had risen from the dead, just as He had promised. The women were filled with joy and ran to tell the disciples the good news. Along the way, they encountered the risen Jesus, who greeted them and confirmed His resurrection.
The resurrection of Jesus is the most powerful event in human history. It demonstrated Jesus’ victory over sin and death, proving that He was indeed the Son of God. His resurrection offers hope and new life to all who believe in Him.
Lesson: Jesus’ resurrection is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. It is proof that death is not the end and that through Jesus, we have the promise of eternal life. His victory over death gives hope to all who trust in Him.
6. The Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20)
After His resurrection, Jesus met with His disciples and gave them the Great Commission. He told them to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey everything He had commanded. Jesus also promised that He would be with them always, even to the end of the age.
The Great Commission is a call for all Christians to share the good news of Jesus’ atoning death and resurrection with the world. It is a mission that continues to this day.
Lesson: Jesus’ resurrection is not just a moment in history but the beginning of a mission. As His followers, we are called to share the message of His love, sacrifice, and victory with others. His promise to be with us gives us the strength and courage to fulfill this mission.
Key Lessons from Jesus’ Atoning Death and Resurrection:
- Jesus willingly endured suffering and death for the sake of humanity, fulfilling God’s plan of salvation.
- Jesus’ death was the ultimate atonement for sin, taking on the punishment we deserved and reconciling us to God.
- The resurrection is proof of Jesus’ victory over sin and death, offering hope and eternal life to all who believe in Him.
- The Great Commission calls Christians to spread the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection to the world, with the assurance that Jesus is always with us.
The Significance of the Passion and Resurrection
The passion of Christ—His suffering, death, and resurrection—is the foundation of the Christian faith. Jesus’ atoning death is the ultimate expression of God’s love for humanity, providing a way for people to be forgiven and restored to a right relationship with God. His resurrection is the ultimate victory, showing that death has been defeated and that eternal life is available to all who follow Him.
Through these events, Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament and accomplished the work of salvation. His death paid the price for sin, and His resurrection opened the way to eternal life. The passion of Christ reminds us of the depth of God’s love, the seriousness of sin, and the hope of redemption.
