Responses to the King
Matthew 26:1-16
(Read Scripture)
This morning we'll look at the contrasts of responses to King Jesus in the text. And here's what we need to recognize: However we respond to Jesus, God is still in control. Just as this morning's text reveals, whether the plot to kill Jesus or the pouring of ointment on Jesus, both go according to God's plan for Jesus to die for the sins of mankind.
This is why Jesus in verse 2 associated the Passover with his crucifixion. The Passover recalls God allowing His judgment to pass over the Jewish people who trusted in the sacrificial blood of the lamb. And the Bible in John 1:29 tells us Jesus is, “... the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"
While the cross of Jesus Christ looked like a tragedy, God designed good to be accomplished: The payment for our sins and the salvation of those who believe. God uses all of our responses to accomplish His purposes.
Now let's look together at the different responses to King Jesus in this morning's text. These are the responses of religious people, God-believing people. No professing atheist here.
First, we see the response from the chief priests, elders and high priest. We see this in verses 3-5
They plotted together to arrest and kill Jesus. Why? Did they view Jesus as a false teacher? A heretic? No. Here's what we read in Matthew 27:18, "For [Pilate, the governor] knew that it was out of envy that [the chief priests and elders] had delivered him up."
They were jealous of Jesus. His popularity. His influence. His drawing a crowd.
How could men who were dedicated to serve God and serve people become self-serving? Answer: They could. We all could.
Maybe it's as simple as a sense of self-importance. Believing that who they are and what they do are more important than what God may be doing through someone else. That's how envy can start in the heart.
Contrast the response of the chief priests and elders with the response of the woman who anointed Jesus. We see this in verses 6-7
There was no sense of self-importance. But there was evidence of self-sacrifice. She applied very expensive ointment on Jesus to honor him.
Self-sacrifice is not self-neglect. Self-neglect is not taking care of yourself. Self-sacrifice is giving up something great in exchange for something greater. A father giving up his Saturday in order to play ball with his children. Or this women, giving up her money for the very expensive ointment to honor Jesus.
Here are some questions for us: How important is Jesus to you? (0-10; 0=unimportant; 10=most important) How do you show that Jesus is that important to you? In your finances. In the way you spend your free time. In what and how you think.
Second, we see the response from Jesus' disciples. We see this in verses 8-9
Jesus' disciples spent three years with Jesus casting out demons, healing the sick and serving the poor. They were sensitized to the needs of the poor. But they were not sensitive to the danger of doing good, not for the love of God.
When we try to do good for any other reason than for the love of God, we are in danger of self-righteousness. And self-righteousness can lead to pride and judgmentalism. Self-righteousness says "I can be good and loving without God." "I'm holier than you."
Contrast the response of Jesus' disciples with the response of the woman who anointed Jesus. We see this in verses 10-11
The woman's love for Jesus in no way excluded her love for the poor. In fact, Jesus says, "You will always have opportunities to serve the poor when you love me first and foremost." When we fall in love with Jesus, we love like Jesus loves.
We no longer think about how good and loving we are. Instead we think about how good God is and how much God has loved us. Then our love for others is paying forward God's love for us.
Here's a question for us: Does our good deeds flow out of our self-righteousness or out of our love relationship with Jesus? How do you know? (Hint: Let Jesus love you.)
Third, we see the response from Judas Iscariot. We see this in verses 14-16
Judas was one of Jesus' 12 close disciples. And he betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. Judas was physically close to Jesus but he was relationally far from Jesus.
We can be physically close to Jesus by attending church, small groups, etc. Being relationally close to Jesus is trusting Jesus is God come in the form of a man, died on the cross, rose from the grave and will return to set up His kingdom. Are you only physically close to Jesus, or also relationally close to Jesus?
Contrast the response of Judas Iscariot with the response of the woman who anointed Jesus. We see this in verses 12-13
Jesus says that the response of love from the woman will be remembered as an example to all who hear this gospel. Here's what Jesus didn't say but is also true: The response of betrayal from Judas will be remembered as a warning to all who hear this gospel, also.
Matthew 27:3-5, "Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, 'I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.' They said, 'What is that to us? See to it yourself.' And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself."
Whatever our response is to Jesus, it will be either an example or a warning to those who follow us. So here's a good question for us: Are you only physically close to Jesus, or also relationally close to Jesus? Do you want to be an example or a warning to those who follow you?
Let me close by reading a classic story:
"Once upon a time, there was a prince who was single and wanted to share his love with a maiden for his future queen. Near his palace was a large city, and often he rode his carriage down to the city to take care of royal business for his father. One day, to reach a particular merchant, he had to go through a rather poor section. He happened to glance out of the window and right into the eyes of a maiden.
"He had occasion on the next few days to return to the section of the city--drawn as he was by the eyes of that maiden. Soon he knew that he was in love with her. But he had a problem. How would he gain her hand in marriage?
"Of course, he could order her to the palace and there propose marriage. But even a prince would like to feel that the girl he marries wants to marry him. Or perhaps,
somewhat more graciously, he could arrive at her door in his most resplendent uniform and, with a bow, ask her hand. But even a prince wants to marry for love.
"Again, he could masquerade as a peasant and try to gain her interest. After he proposed, he could pull off his 'mask.' Still, the masquerade would be 'phony.' He really could not manage it.
"Finally, this came to mind. He would give up his kingly role and move into her neighborhood. There he would take up work as, say, a carpenter. During his work in the day and during his time off in the evening, he would get acquainted with the people, begin to share their interests and concerns, begin to talk their language. And in due time, he would make her acquaintance in a natural way. And should she come to love him, as he had already come to love her, then he would ask for her hand in marriage."
This was God's problem with us. He loved us and He wanted our love. But it had to be free and voluntary love. He could have ordered us to love Him but that would not be voluntary. He could have appeared to us in his kingly glory, but who would not in awe obey such a King? He wanted to win our love without dazzling and overwhelming us by the magnificence of His divinity.
So appearing in the form of man he humbled himself and demonstrated His love for us. He then gave us the opportunity to respond freely to His love. How will you respond?
(If you feel this sermon is helpful, you are welcome to visit www.danachau.com for a free online course.)
