How should Jesus' awareness of His fate in Matthew 26:1 impact our faith? Setting the Scene Matthew 26 opens with Christ finishing His final public teachings and turning to the inner circle: • Matthew 26:1 “When Jesus had finished saying all these things, He said to His disciples,” • Matthew 26:2 “You know that the Passover is two days away,” • Matthew 26:2 “the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.” Jesus Knew His Mission • Long before the arrest, Jesus declared exactly what would happen (see also Matthew 16:21). • John 10:18 “No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord.” • Nothing caught Him off guard; everything unfolded on His timetable. Prophecy Proved Reliable • Isaiah 53:10 “Yet it pleased the LORD to crush Him and cause Him to suffer.” • Acts 2:23 “He was delivered over by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge.” • Fulfillment of ancient words anchors faith in Scripture’s absolute trustworthiness. Love Displayed Through Willing Sacrifice • Philippians 2:8 “He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.” • Knowing the agony ahead, He still walked toward it. Such love invites wholehearted devotion. Joy Stabilized by Sovereignty • Hebrews 12:2 “For the joy set before Him He endured the cross.” • Foreknowledge did not produce despair; it produced joy rooted in certain victory. Strength for Our Faith Today • Confidence: God controls history, so believers stand secure. • Courage: Trials never surprise the Lord who guides every step. • Gratitude: His voluntary suffering inspires thankful worship. • Obedience: As He embraced the Father’s plan, so followers embrace daily obedience. • Hope: Romans 8:28 “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him.” Living It Out • Trust God’s timing even when the path feels dark. • Surrender personal plans to His larger redemptive story. • Worship regularly, remembering the cost of salvation. • Share this certain hope with others who fear the unknown. |
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