An Awkward and Incomplete Faith
Matthew 26:1-5; 14-16; 31-35
Introduction
v These three passages in the
26th chapter of the gospel of Matthew reflect three different types
of faith.
v In verses 1-5, the chief
priests and the elders gather at the palace of Caiaphas, the high priest that
year, to plot the murder of Jesus. They
resolve that they are fulfilling the will of God. Elsewhere, they reason that it is better that
one man die than the whole nation be harmed.
v In the second passage,
verses 14-16, Judas Iscariot volunteers himself, as the vessel through which
the murder plot of the religious leaders would be accomplished. For thirty pieces of silver, he betrays
Jesus. Judas reasons that his actions do
not equate with betrayal rather they are a catalyst which will in turn ignite
the revolution that will overthrow Rome and the religious leaders.
v In the final section, verses
31-35, Peter and all the other disciples insist that they would never deny
Christ come what may. In fact, they say,
“Even if [we] have to die with you, [we] will never disown you.” At the time of those adamant remarks, they
really believed that they were 100% committed to the cause of Christ.
v Yet, all three examples
demonstrate an awkward and incomplete faith.
v Faith that says murder is
acceptable.
v Faith that says betrayal is
appropriate.
v Faith that results in denial
despite vociferous pledges to the contrary.
v Holy Week presents the
opportunity for all of us to examine the nature and character of our faith in
the Lord Jesus Christ.
v Do we believe the message to
the point of death?
v Will we plot against the
truth of the gospel if the world offers us something we find more appealing?
v Will we betray the Lord for
the gain of fame and fortune?
v Will we deny Him in pursuit
of our own selfish ambitions and achievements?
Body
Matthew
26:1-5 – The Chief Priests and Elders of the People
v “They plotted to arrest
Jesus in some sly way and kill him.”
v This is “A Righteous Murder
Plot”
v It is inexplicable!
v Yet, the room is full of
religiously devout people
v Probably had commendable
records of observance of the Law and the Prophets
v They were faithful in their
duties to God and the people
v Yet, the human motives of
greed, power, lust and self preservation took control
v Their religiosity was not
strong enough to nullify this evil.
v Instead, they used it as a
vehicle with which to sanction their ungodly actions.
v They possessed an awkward
and incomplete faith.
v The dross of sin and
selfishness had not been burned away.
Matthew
26:14-16 – The Betrayal of Judas Iscariot
v “What are you willing to
give me if I hand him over to you?”
v They counted out for him
thirty silver coins.
v Judas did not ask for a
position or title with the priesthood or the Roman government.
v He took the money as an
investment for himself in the new government that he assumed that Christ would
inaugurate.
v Judas believed the arrest
would precipitate the military revolution.
v You will recall his disgust
about the waste of the alabaster jar of perfume that was worth a year’s wages.
v Judas thought the money
should be given to the poor.
v Judas handled the treasury
for the Lord and His disciples.
v Personally, Judas liked
money and may have even loved money.
v He certainly had ulterior
motives about what the religion of Jesus should accomplish.
v His vision was that of
power, prestige, finance and military might not love, peace, sacrifice, mercy
and patience.
v Judas had an awkward and
incomplete faith.
