sf934 - How To Handle Tragedy (Matthew 26 47-56)
Matthew 26:47-56
Introduction
This text begins a series of events that will shake the very core of the disciples’ faith.
In fact the encounter in the garden will be the greatest single tragedy faced by the followers of Christ to this point.
Everything they held dear is about to be taken from them.
From them and the Lord we can learn some very important lessons on how to handle tragedy when it comes.
1A. What Not To Do
1B. Do not get caught up in the mob mentality (26:47-50)
The multitude included officers of the Temple (Luke 22:52), who were granted limited police powers by the Romans in matters concerning Jewish religion and society. This group was armed with clubs.
The multitude also included a cohort of Roman soldiers (John 18:3), which, at full strength, comprised 600 men. Because they had to have Roman permission to exercise the death penalty, the Jewish leaders had requested Roman soldiers to join in the arrest.
When all four gospel accounts are compared, it becomes evident that the total number of men who came with Judas to the garden may have been as high as a thousand.
Mob mentality focuses on feelings not facts.
Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?
Mob mentality focuses on expediency not truth.
John 8:32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Mob mentality focuses on the product not the process.
Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
2B. Do not try to take matters into your own hands (26:51-53)
To do so can be dangerous (26:51-52)
Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.
To do so is unnecessary (26:53; 72,000 angels)
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
Isaiah 55:8-9 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, says the LORD. 9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thought
Job 42:2 I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.
3B. Do not run from the only one who can help you. (26:56)
The world and the flesh tell us to run.
James 4:4 …Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
The Lord bids us to come to Him.
Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven."
John 6:37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.
2A. What to do
1B. Pray (26:41)
Seek the Lord’s presence
Psalm 95:2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
Seek the Lord’s purpose (26:39)
Colossians 1:9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
Seek the Lord’s power
John 15:5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
2B. Prepare (26:54-56)
Read God’s Word
1 Peter 2:2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,
Study God’s Word
2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Memorize God’s Word
Psalm 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You!
3B. Practice (John 18:4-8)
1 John 2:6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
Matthew 26:47-56
1A. What Not To Do
1B. Do not get caught up in the __________________ mentality (26:47-50)
Mob mentality focuses on _______________ not facts. (Jeremiah 17:9)
Mob mentality focuses on expediency not truth. (John 8:32; 14:6)
Mob mentality focuses on the _________________ not the process. (Luke 9:23)
2B. Do not try to take matters into your own hands (26:51-53)
To do so can be dangerous (26:51-52; Proverbs 14:12)
To do so is _____________________________ (26:53’ Proverbs 3:5; Isaiah 55:8-9; Job 42:2)
3B. Do not ________________ from the only one who can help you. (26:56)
The world and the flesh tell us to run. (James 4:4)
The Lord bids us to come to Him. (Matthew 11:28; 19:14; John 6:37)
2A. What to do
1B. ______________________ (26:41)
Seek the Lord’s ________________________ (Psalm 95:2)
Seek the Lord’s purpose (26:39; Colossians 1:9)
Seek the Lord’s ___________________________ (John 15:5; Philippians 4:13)
2B. ___________________________ (26:54-56)
Read God’s Word (1 Peter 2:2)
Study God’s Word (2 Timothy 2:15)
Memorize God’s Word (Psalm 119:11)
3B. ____________________________ (John 18:4-8; 1 John 2:6)