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N Matthew’s account, we are
drawing near to the story of Christ's crucifixion. He was crucified (at the
time of the Passover) as the ultimate Passover lamb (vs. 2). It was for that very reason that Christ came
into the world. He came to die for us; to shed His blood as a payment for our
infractions. In fact, He volunteered to die FOR our sins and IN our place. That
doesn't mean that the Jews and Gentiles who killed Him understood what was
going on though. They were guilty of crimes against God, even if they were only
playing out His sovereign plan (Acts 2:23). They felt malice against Him and
were acting under the spirit of Satan. This chapter tells us about their
conspiracy to kill, & how they went about arresting the Son of God (vs.4).
And, for what? Because He claimed to be the Messiah & they didn't believe
Him (vs. 63).
The events leading up to the
crucifixion of Christ were all pointing in that direction. He was anointed for His burial before He even
arrested (vs. 12). He was betrayed by Judas in exchange for 30 pieces of silver
(vs. 15). He ate the Passover meal with His disciples, during which, He
declared to them the very purpose of His looming death (vs. 20 &
26-28). After the Lord's Supper, He
reiterated to His disciples exactly what was just ahead for Him (vs. 30-32).
After that, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray with His disciples (vs.
36), and to be arrested (vs. 46-50). After His arrest, He stood trial at
Caiaphas' palace (vs. 57). All these things were simply preparations (vs. 56)
for the darkest moment in human history; the hour when the creation would
murder the Creator.
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