Matthew 26 brings us into the final days of Jesus' life with "the Passover just two days away" as the Lord prepares his disciples for what is to come as the chief priests and elders plotted intensely against Jesus. Then at Bethany Jesus was anointed with very expensive perfume which a woman poured on his head. Jesus refuted the disciples' criticism that it was a waste of money saying "she did it to prepare me for burial". Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests and did a deal to hand Jesus over to them for 30 silver coins. Then on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread Jesus and the disciples began preparations for the Passover, and that evening Jesus said: "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me... but woe to the man who betrays the Son of Man... it would have been better for him not to have been born". Judas said, "It can't be me... and Jesus answered yes it is you". Then Jesus broke the bread and said: "Take and eat; this is my body... then he took the cup and said this is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for the forgiveness of sins". Then Jesus told the disciples that he would go ahead of them into Galilee after he had risen. Peter pledged allegiance but Jesus predicted he would disown him 3 times before the cock crowed. Then Jesus went with his disciples to Gethsemane where he prayed alone saying "Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me, but your will be done". When he returned to his disciples that were all asleep. Jesus prayed the same prayer 3 times. Then Judas arrived with an armed crowd and he kissed Jesus to point to them which one Jesus was for them to arrest him, and they seized Jesus, and "all the disciples deserted him and fled". Jesus was then taken before Caiaphas the High Priest and asked him if he was the Christ? "Yes it is as you say, Jesus replied". They then accused Jesus of blasphemy "worthy of death... and they spat in his face and struck him with their fists". Peter was nearby and three times his link to Jesus was questioned and he swore to them: "I don't know the man!" Immediately the cock crowed so "he wept bitterly".
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