Matthew 26:36-56

• Here we find the prayers of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, the public betrayal of Judas, peter with the sword and then Jesus submission to the arrest. 
• very important part of Christian Doctrine to come away with this morning from this passage. 
• The operative verse I want to focus on this morning is Matthew 26:38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”
• If you’re a Christian, and you come to that verse, you are kind of hit with the humanity of it all. 
• We’ve been talking a lot about the messiahship of Jesus, and then you get to this verse and its clear he’s feeling some very deep emotions about what Is about to happen to him as he goes to the Cross
• And in this we see this truth- the deity of Jesus and the humanity of Jesus. 100% God 100% Man
• This truth about Jesus is a historical orthodox truth since the beginning of Christianity
• Ignatius of Antioch (c. 35-107 AD), early Christian theologian- “There is one physician who is possessed both of flesh and spirit; both made and not made; God existing in flesh; true life in death; both of Mary and of God; first possible and then impossible, even Jesus Christ our Lord.”
• Tertullian (c. 155-240 AD), Against Praxeas (Chapter 27):”Christ is both Son of Man and Son of God. Son of Man, because of His incarnation and flesh; Son of God, because of His divinity and Spirit.”
• Athanasius of Alexandria (c. 296-373 AD), “God the Word, who became man for our salvation, is one Son and one Christ, who is both God and man.” Discourses Against the Arians (1.26.37):
• Cyril of Alexandria (c. 376-444 AD), in his Letter to Nestorius (Third Letter):
• “Since, therefore, the Holy Virgin brought forth after the flesh God personally united to flesh according to hypostasis, for that reason we call her Theotokos, for she gave birth to the Word made flesh.”
• They affirmed that Jesus is both fully God and fully man, with his divinity and humanity united in one person, and that this was essential for the salvation of humanity. (Jews who believed JC was God)
• The phrase “hypostatic union” was first coined in the 5th century by early Christian theologians to describe the union of the two natures (divine and human) in the person of Jesus Christ.
• The term “hypostasis” comes from the Greek word meaning “substance” or “essence,” and the term “union” refers to the joining together of the two natures.
• It was used to affirm the orthodox belief that Jesus Christ is one person with two distinct natures, fully God and fully man, without confusion or mixture. 
• The phrase does not appear in the Bible, it was developed as a way to articulate the biblical teaching on the nature of Christ, as affirmed by the early church councils.
• No different than the word trinity that Doesn’t exist in the Bible. You are human w a spirit same
• Why does it matter- Currently there are people who call themselves Christians who do not believe in this truth- Unitarian Universalists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, Oneness Pentecostals. 
• This is a doctrine that is orthodox and historically agreed upon by Christians from the earliest of times. 
• Early on there were heresies against this truth
• Ebionites first century AD, which believed that Jesus was a human prophet and that he was not divine.
• Docetism: second century AD. Jesus only appeared to be human and that he was actually a purely divine being who only seemed to have a physical body. 
• This orthodox view was formalized in the Nicene Creed of 325 AD, which affirmed that Jesus is “God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father.”
• Sidenote- I’ve been doing research on the Nicene Creed over the past year and we may be instituting it
• Why? Creeds solidify what we believe and keep us from heresy so we know exactly what we believe. 
• We see this in Matthew 26:39, where Jesus prays to his Father in heaven, he is expressing his human emotions of fear and anguish, while also submitting to God’s will.
• This shows Jesus’ humanity,  he experiences emotions and physical suffering, but also his divinity
• he submits to God’s will and ultimately fulfills his mission to save humanity through his sacrificial death on the cross- while in this verse showing real emotions of a human. 
• Isaiah 9:6 – “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
• Isaiah 7: 14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel
• This is a prophetic passage born of flesh- while also God in the flesh. 
• This shows that the coming Messiah will be both fully God and fully man, just as Jesus was.
• John 1:1, 14 – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
• John describes Jesus as the Word, who was with God in the beginning and was himself God. 
• This shows that Jesus is not just a human being, but also fully God. 
• The phrase “the Word became flesh” indicates that Jesus took on human form- hypostatic union.
• Philippians 2:5-8 – READ
• Jesus was in the form of God but also took on human form and was obedient to God’s will, even to the point of death. 
• hypostatic union- it shows Jesus’ divinity and humanity working together in perfect harmony.

But why does it even matter?

1. It helps us understand our faith

• As believers, we are called to follow the example of Christ and become more like him. 
• The hypostatic union teaches us that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully human, and in him, we see the perfect union of divine and human nature. You can follow someone who knows you
• 1 Peter 2:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps
• As we grow in our faith, we can experience a deeper union with God, through the power of the Holy Spirit in spite of the war with our human nature. 
• As Believers we are humans
• The hypostatic union reminds us that our humanity is not something to be rejected or denied, but rather it is something that God has created and redeemed. We are 100% Human with 100% spirit need both
• 2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
• This verse acknowledges that Christians, despite being filled with the treasure of God’s Spirit, are still “earthen vessels” or human beings who are subject to weakness and imperfection.
• It should remind you that any power or excellence you possess comes not from you, but from God.
• Jesus Christ, as both fully God and fully human, affirms the value and dignity of our humanity, and shows us that God is intimately involved in our lives, even in the midst of our struggles and weaknesses.
• As believers we are connected to Jesus. 
• Through the hypostatic union, we see that God is not distant or disconnected from our human experience, but rather he has entered into our world and become one of us. This means that we can approach God with confidence, knowing that he understands our struggles and is able to sympathize with our weaknesses.
• Hebrews 4:1 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

2. It helps us understand the conflict within ourselves

• we believe that we have both a human nature and a spiritual nature, and that these two natures are in tension with each other. Every. Single. Day. 
• In this scripture of Matthew we see Jesus- His humanity- Matthew 26:38 My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. His Divinity- 26:39 nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
• He describes this conflict with the disciples- 26:41 The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
• That’s us! We’re caught in the conflict of the flesh and the spirit
• Romans 7: 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.
• That’s a scripture that we all understand because we live it. We are born again and a new creation, but there’s this other part of us that we war with that exists within all of us. 
• And part of what we do here on this earth is continually fight the flesh through the power of the spirit
• And its constant! Told ya’ll before- used to be donut guy- staying strong- still a struggle. 
• human nature:is subject to sin and death, spiritual nature: is born of God and is holy and eternal. 
• Human nature Je17:9: “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” 
• Spiritual nature: John 3:6“That which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” – 
• There is a Tension between human and spiritual nature: Galatians 5:17“For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.” – 
• This was the tension that Jesus was going through in the garden. 
• His flesh doesn’t want to go to the cross. His flesh doesn’t want to feel the pain and misery
• Its natural to not want to be crucified and beaten. Most humans wouldnt
• We can have his Divine nature: 2 Peter 1:4“By which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” – 
• Spirit can be renewed: Romans 12:2“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” –
• Victory over sin and death: “For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” – Romans 8:13
• we believe that we have a dual nature – human and spiritual – and that we are called to overcome the sinful desires of our human nature and live according to our spiritual nature, which is born of God and leads us to holiness and righteousness. 
• Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can put to death the deeds of the flesh and experience victory over sin and death.

3. It should give us hope for victory

• We want to be like Jesus and Jesus shows us that he is like us and identifies with us
• Heb 4: 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin
• He went through what we go through but he didn’t succumb to the flesh to show us we can be victorious over our sins as well
• We can have Victory over sin and death: Romans 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” –
• Jesus was victorious over his flesh! He didn’t give into it 
• He acknowledged the reality of it, and then through the power of the spirit he overcame it
• first prayer, Matthew 26:39 “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done”
• Jesus expresses his agony and distress of what he must undergo in order to fulfill God’s plan for salvation.
• He asks God if there is any other way, but ultimately submits to God’s will, saying, “your will be done”
• Jesus, who is fully God and fully human, can experience the full range of human emotions and yet remain fully committed to God’s will. 
• You can still have emotions and be fully committed to God’s will! 
• Pray- God I’m feeling this way, but I’m not going to act on it. I’m not going to give over to my flesh
• 1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
• 1 john 5:4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world- our faith.
• You have to believe that God has given you everything you need through his spirit to have victory 
• second prayer v 42 if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.” 43 And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy.
• Jesus second prayer was right after Matthew 26:41, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” 
• He encourages them to stay vigilant in prayer and then returns to find them asleep! 
• Jesus, who is fully God and fully human, is able to sympathize with our weaknesses and struggles, and offers us encouragement and strength to resist temptation and remain faithful to God.
• V 40 and v 43 he found the disciples asleep! Could you not watch with Me one hour
• These bonehead disciples give me hope that Jesus understands our struggles- he’s been encouraging them and challenging them about his impending crucifixion and these dudes fall asleep twice (you in my sermons)
• You can still be weak and struggle and still be a Christian who experiences victory
• 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
• Hebrews 12:4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.
• 2 Peter 2:9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment,
• third prayer, Matthew 26:42 My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done 
• Jesus prays for strength to endure the suffering and death that he knows is coming. 
• Jesus, who is fully God and fully human, is able to face the ultimate sacrifice of his life on the cross with complete obedience and trust in God’s plan for salvation.
• Through his humanity, he experiences the full weight of the suffering and pain that he must endure, while through his divinity, he remains confident in God’s power and victory over death.
• You are going to struggle in this life and experience suffering. That’s a fact. You will have pain
• But through power of the HS you can endure the pain and suffering as you’re going through it
• 1 Peter 5:10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

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