Jesus has universal and divine authority over all things. And as the risen Lord, He states His mission for His world. Make disciples of all the nations, and He ensures the success of this enterprise by promising His presence with His disciples to the end of the age.

Jesus’ resurrection was revealed through an angelic announcement and Jesus’ own bodily appearance. The very first two witnesses were the two women named Mary. These women who were witnesses of His death and burial also became the first to hear the angelic announcement and witness Jesus’ risen self. And how did they react to Jesus’ resurrection? With worship!

Supernatural signs accompanied Jesus’ death which confirmed His identity as the Son of God. Matthew also begins to build a case for Jesus’ resurrection by first confirming His death and burial and thus precluding the possibility of the Jewish rumor that the disciples stole Jesus’ body.

Jesus sufffered greatly and died for our sins.

Jesus was innocent. There was in Jerusalem a landmark that testified of this. Pilate and his wife also testified of His innocence. Pilate even washed his hands to absolve himself of guilt, because he knew he was condemning an innocent man to the crucifixion. If Jesus was innocent, then for what purpose did He die? This is the question we ponder as we look at Matthew’s account of Jesus’ trial before the Roman tribunal.

Unlike all others in this scene, Jesus testified of the truth. The Jewish tribunal was filled with liars who falsely accused Jesus. The Sanhedrin would entertain false testimonies to kill the man they hated. Simon Peter lied through his teeth for fear of arrest or worse. But Jesus is not like any of these. He testified of the truth and willingly gave up His life for our atonement. There is no Savior like Him!

In this story of Jesus’ arrest, Matthew shows us that this was entirely the fulfillment of Scripture. And in this scene Jesus is an active participant to carry out the word of God. He resisted temptation with prayer and He maintained strength in His human spirit and in His body. This is how He gave Himself up for our redemption. How glorious is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Jesus willingly went to the cross. He knew the betrayer. He knew His death. He knew the place of His arrest. He went along with all that which He knew for the joy set before Him. He even sang as He stepped out with the disciples and headed toward the place of His arrest.

Jesus’ arrest was the product of divine providence that wove together the evil intent of the Jews, the greed of Judas, and even the anointing of Jesus by Mary. The all wise and all powerful God orchestrated all these events to bring about our eternal salvation. May we thank and priase our glorious is our God!

Jesus tells us that He will make a distinction between believers and unbelievers based on the sign of faith which is love for His people. All His sheep will care for His people at a great cost to themselves. There is a wonderful future for all who trust in Christ who express their faith with love for God’s people.

Jesus teaches us about how to be ready for Him. We are not to run frantically about because He is coming. We are to learn and carry out His will with faithfulness as we await His coming. The Lord wants us to be busy about His business.

Jesus’ coming will be unpredictable and sudden. He calls us to be ready always for Him. Thsee words which relate to His second coming is applicable for the church which awaits her rapture. May the Lord grant to us wisdom to live daily with alertness and readiness of heart, mind, and body.

Jesus explains the sign of His coming and of the end of the age. He is indeed coming and He will bring with Him the raptured saints and gather the Jewish remnant to usher them into the kingdom of God which He will establish on earth.

Jesus speaks about the end time and exhorts us to endure to the end.

Jesus shows us the heart of God that seeks for all to repent. For the people of Israel, there is a special hope of salvation because of God’s promise to the patriarchs long ago. God never changers and He always keeps His word.

Jesus declares woes/judgments upon false teachers. The Lord sees the destruction these men have caused. He declares judgment upon them, because they will be held to account. Unlike them, our Lord always speaks the truth that will lead men and women out of their sins and unto eternal life.

Jesus confronts the scribes and Pharisees of their failed leadership. Jesus shows us the marks of false leaders. This raises the important question, “Who then is a true spiritual leader?” There is only one who is worthy of that title. In this lesson we learn who is so worthy.

There is a divine accountability in the afterlife. Jesus shows us the standard by which God will hold man accountable. He also reveals that He is that Lord who holds men accountable.

Jesus teaches us in this passage that we must come to God on His terms and that God has the right to claim ownership over us and our worship and devotion.