In the gospel of Matthew, the sweep of events from Judas’ decision to betray Jesus, through his arrest, trial, crucifixion, and burial takes less than fifteen minutes to read aloud. Yet the emotional intensity of these events makes for an exhausting read. Alone in my room, I could hardly make it through. If I were to read this as part of worship in my church, I’d want to skip the regular sermon and plan some silence to reflect and recover before we’d sing a song of response.
Just imagine living and dying through it all. Imagine the agony of Jesus praying alone in the garden, betrayed by one of his closest friends and followers and deserted by the rest. Imagine being arrested and interrogated, spat upon and slapped, then questioned again and again. Imagine being mocked, beaten, and stripped. Each blow and insult was an indignity and a foretaste of death until Jesus’ final suffering on the cross and his last breath.
Jesus knew all of that was coming. Well before his arrest, he told his disciples of the suffering and death that awaited him: after Peter’s declaration of Jesus as the Messiah (16:13-23), as they gathered in Galilee (17:22- 23), and on their way to Jerusalem (20:17-19). Each time Jesus predicted his death — and each time he also told his disciples that he would be raised on the third day. None of that seemed to register with the disciples, not the prediction of his death, nor the resurrection that would follow. But clearly for Jesus, his death and his resurrection were two parts of the same whole, for he spoke of them together, almost in the same breath.
In our text for today, as Matthew retells Jesus’ suffering and death, the gospel also includes a number of references to Jesus’ coming resurrection. As I read this, I found myself holding on to these points of reassurance and relief in the midst of the horror. For much as Jesus spoke of his death and resurrection together, so the gospel writer describes Jesus’ suffering and death with glimpses of resurrection along the way.
Our text begins with Judas agreeing to betray Jesus. Then sandwiched between these opening verses and Jesus’ prediction of Peter’s denial, Jesus shared one last meal with his disciples. The meal itself was filled with foreboding as Jesus predicted that one of the disciples would betray him, and the bread and cup foreshadowed his broken body and his life poured out in death. But there was also a hint of something more as Jesus said to them, “I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom” (verse 29). The day would come for them to share another meal together in the Father’s kingdom. In the midst of betrayal, denial, and the threat of death, there is this glimpse of resurrection.
In the next few verses, Jesus predicted that all of the disciples would fall away. When Peter protested and insisted that he would remain faithful, Jesus said that before the night was over, Peter would deny him three times. Again Peter protested and the others joined in so vigorously that they missed what Jesus said next: “after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee” (verse 32).
Denial, desertion, and death will not have the last word, for Jesus will rise again! Another glimpse of resurrection. Once Jesus was arrested, he was taken before the religious authorities. When he was questioned by the high priest, Jesus said, “From now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven” (verse 64). With these words, Jesus clearly testified that his arrest would not be the end. No earthly authority could match his own authority at the right hand of the all-powerful. One day he would rise from death and ascend into heaven. Another glimpse of resurrection.
The only witnesses that could be found to testify against Jesus merely repeated his earlier claim, “I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days” (verse 61). This was no blasphemy against the temple, for Jesus had been speaking of his body as the temple of God that would be destroyed by his death, and then rebuilt—resurrected—in three days (John 2:18-22). Those who passed by as Jesus hung on the cross clearly understood that he had been referring to his own body, for they taunted him, “You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself!” (verse 40). The religious leaders referred to this saying again when they insisted on posting a guard at Jesus’ tomb (verses 62-66). As part of the gospel narrative, these references remind us that resurrection is indeed coming. More glimpses of resurrection.
The most explicit reference comes immediately after Jesus’ death. The curtain of the temple is torn, and many graves are re-opened as the result of a violent earthquake. Some of the dead are raised just as Jesus had raised Lazarus, and the gospel says that those who were raised would later go into the city “after his resurrection” (verse 53). It seems more fantasy and science fiction than anything else, but whatever we are to make of this part of the story, it too gives another glimpse of resurrection.
Throughout our text, Jesus’ innocence is clear. No witnesses gave testimony sufficient to condemn Jesus to death. Pilate found no reason to sentence Jesus to be crucified, and when he asked the crowd, “[W]hat evil has he done?” (verse 23), the crowd only continued to shout for Jesus’ death. Pilate washed his hands to demonstrate his innocence of any wrongdoing, at the same time he condemned the innocent Jesus to death. Even Pilate’s wife called Jesus “that innocent man” (verse 19). Crucifixion was a cruel death, and the crucifixion of an innocent man even more inhumane and unjust.
Yet in the face of such cruelty and pain, God’s good news could not be contained: Jesus who suffered and died arose from the dead! Glimpses of resurrection continually broke through the narrative of denial, betrayal, suffering, and death. Vindicated by God, Jesus was finally raised three days later. Life conquered death. Joy overtook sorrow. Love covered the multitude of our sins. God’s power was and is all in all.
The death and resurrection of Jesus is good news for all of us. By the grace of God, we have forgiveness from sin. By the power of his Spirit, we can live a new life. The risen Christ reigns at the right hand of power. Our God is the God of resurrection, and resurrection will break out even at the darkest and most unexpected times.
If you’re facing down injustice, if you’ve been betrayed by someone close to you, if you feel deserted by your friends, know that Jesus has been there too, and is with you now. Hang on to hope. Be steadfast in your testimony. Even when the way is hard - especially when the way is hard - look for signs of resurrection to break out around you.
If you’re suffering from physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual pain, if you’re facing death as we all must one day, if the humiliation and dread of the coming end looms over you, know that Jesus has been there too, and is with you now. God holds you in the palm of his hand. Good triumphs over evil. Life has conquered death. Resurrection is coming.
We give thanks to you, God almighty, for the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. So much of this story remains a mystery to us—how you could become human in Jesus Christ, who lived, suffered, and died such a cruel death, and then rose again with new life. The earth shook in response, yet the death and resurrection of Jesus form the sure foundation of our faith. We believe. Help our unbelief. We wait for resurrection. Amen.