Jesus Willingly Gave Himself as the Perfect Sacrifice
Matthew 26 marks the beginning of the final events leading to the crucifixion. Jesus told His disciples:
“You know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” — Matthew 26:2
Nothing that followed happened by accident. Jesus knew exactly what lay ahead and willingly embraced the Father’s plan. While the religious leaders secretly plotted to kill Him, an unnamed woman came to Jesus with an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil and poured it on His head. The disciples considered it wasteful, but Jesus said:
“She has done a good work for Me.” — Matthew 26:10
He continued:
“For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial.” — Matthew 26:12
Her act of worship recognised the value of Christ when many others failed to. In sharp contrast, Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests and asked:
“What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” — Matthew 26:15
They agreed on:
“…thirty pieces of silver.” — Matthew 26:15
One person gave Jesus her most precious possession. Another sold Him for money. The chapter places these two responses side by side and asks every reader: What is Jesus worth to us?
This reminds us that Jesus willingly walked toward the cross because of His love for us and His perfect obedience to the Father. The woman’s extravagant worship challenges us to ask whether Christ truly occupies the highest place in our hearts. Like her, we are called to offer Him our very best—not because He needs our gifts, but because He alone is worthy of our complete devotion. Judas’ betrayal also warns us that outward association with Jesus is not the same as wholehearted love for Him. Every day we choose whether Christ will be treasured above everything else or treated as secondary to the desires of this world.
The New Covenant Was Established Through Christ’s Blood
During the Passover meal, Jesus transformed the meaning of one of Israel’s greatest celebrations. Taking the bread, He said:
“Take, eat; this is My body.” — Matthew 26:26
Then He took the cup and declared:
“For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” — Matthew 26:28
The Passover had always pointed forward to a greater deliverance. Just as the blood of the Passover lamb spared Israel in Egypt, Jesus—the true Lamb of God—would soon shed His blood to bring forgiveness and eternal salvation. After supper, they went to the Garden of Gethsemane. There Jesus prayed with deep anguish:
“O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” — Matthew 26:39
His prayer reveals both His genuine humanity and His perfect submission. Though the suffering before Him was beyond comprehension, He chose obedience over comfort. Meanwhile, the disciples repeatedly fell asleep. Jesus urged them:
“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation.” — Matthew 26:41
This reminds us that our salvation rests entirely upon the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ. The Lord’s Supper continually points us back to the immeasurable cost of our redemption and the immeasurable love that made it possible. Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane also teaches us how to face our own trials. Faith does not mean pretending suffering is easy; it means trusting the Father’s will even when the path is difficult. As we learn to pray, “Nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will,” we discover the peace that comes from surrendering ourselves completely to God’s perfect purposes.
Even Human Failure Cannot Stop God’s Redemptive Plan
The events moved quickly. Judas arrived with a crowd and identified Jesus with a kiss. Jesus responded:
“Friend, why have you come?” — Matthew 26:50
Peter attempted to defend Jesus with a sword, but Jesus said:
“Put your sword in its place… Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?” — Matthew 26:52–53
Jesus was not overpowered. He willingly surrendered. He explained:
“How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?” — Matthew 26:54
Every event unfolded according to God’s redemptive plan foretold in Scripture. Later, Peter—who had confidently promised never to deny Jesus—did exactly as Jesus had predicted. Three times he denied knowing Him. Then:
“…Peter remembered the word of Jesus… So he went out and wept bitterly.” — Matthew 26:75
Peter’s failure was real and grievous. Yet it would not be the end of his story. God’s grace would restore him and use him powerfully.
Here, we are reminded that although we may stumble, Christ remains perfectly faithful. Peter’s denial warns us against self-confidence and teaches us to depend daily upon God’s strength rather than our own. At the same time, his bitter repentance gives hope to every one of us who has failed. The Lord is able to restore those who return to Him with humble hearts. Above all, Matthew 26 assures us that nothing—not betrayal, opposition, weakness, or human failure—can frustrate God’s saving purposes. The cross was never a tragic accident; it was the fulfilment of God’s eternal plan to redeem sinners through His Son.
Deeper Waters
Matthew 26 is the threshold of the Passion narrative, where every event moves deliberately toward the cross. The chapter reveals that Jesus is never a helpless victim of circumstances but the sovereign Son who willingly lays down His life in fulfilment of the Father’s eternal purpose.
The anointing at Bethany stands in striking contrast to Judas’ betrayal. The woman recognises Jesus’ incomparable worth and prepares Him for burial, while Judas values Him at the price of a slave (cf. Zechariah 11:12–13). Matthew intentionally places these scenes together, presenting two radically different responses to Christ: wholehearted worship or calculated rejection.
The Passover meal reaches its fulfilment in Jesus. For centuries Israel had remembered its deliverance from Egypt through the blood of the Passover lamb (Exodus 12). Now Jesus declares that His own blood inaugurates “the new covenant”, echoing Jeremiah 31:31–34. He is the true Passover Lamb whose sacrifice brings not temporary deliverance from earthly bondage but eternal forgiveness of sins.
Gethsemane reveals the profound mystery of Christ’s person. Fully human, He recoils from the horror of bearing sin and enduring the Father’s judgment. Fully obedient, He submits Himself entirely to the Father’s will. His prayer echoes the obedience of the Second Adam. Where Adam in another garden chose his own will and brought death into the world, Jesus in Gethsemane submits to the Father’s will and moves toward the cross that will bring life to many (Romans 5:12–19).
Peter’s denial further highlights humanity’s inability to remain faithful in its own strength. Even the most devoted disciple falls when relying upon himself. Yet Matthew subtly prepares readers for restoration. Peter’s bitter weeping reveals genuine repentance, distinguishing him from Judas, whose remorse never turned in faith toward Christ. The Gospel of grace will ultimately restore Peter because the security of salvation rests upon Christ’s faithfulness rather than our perfection.
Matthew 26 encourages us to: treasure Christ above every earthly possession, remember the immeasurable cost of redemption whenever they share in the Lord’s Supper, submit to God’s will even in seasons of deep suffering, depend upon prayer rather than self-confidence, and and find hope in Christ’s restoring grace after failure.
Ultimately, Matthew 26 points us to Jesus Christ, the true Passover Lamb, the obedient Son, and the faithful Saviour. He willingly drinks the cup of God’s judgment so that those who trust in Him may drink the cup of the New Covenant. He stands firm when His disciples flee, remains faithful when they fail, and walks resolutely toward the cross because of His love for the Father and for His redeemed people. In this chapter we see the beginning of the greatest act of love in history—the Son of God freely giving Himself so that sinners might be reconciled to God and brought into His everlasting Kingdom.