From the Garden to Glory: The Power of the Cross and the Triumph of the Resurrection
- Be God's Glory
- Oct 18
- 11 min read
Welcome to Day 290 of The Glory Team Bible Reading Plan.
These final chapters of Matthew unveil the climax of Jesus’ earthly ministry — His betrayal, crucifixion, and resurrection — the ultimate fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. The narrative begins with the plot against Jesus and ends with His glorious triumph over death. Through the agony in Gethsemane, the injustice of His trial, and the suffering of the cross, we witness both the depth of human sin and the height of divine love. Matthew’s account reveals that Jesus willingly endured the path of suffering to secure salvation for humanity, proving that even in the darkest moments, God’s sovereignty and purpose prevail. The resurrection in chapter 28 seals the victory, confirming Jesus as the risen King and commissioning His followers to spread the Gospel to all nations — the living testimony that the grave could not hold God’s glory.
Matthew 26
Matthew 26 begins the sorrowful journey to the cross as the religious leaders conspire to kill Jesus during the Passover. In Bethany, a woman anoints Jesus with costly perfume, symbolizing His impending burial and showing profound devotion. Judas agrees to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, fulfilling prophecy and revealing the depth of human treachery. During the Last Supper, Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper, declaring the bread and cup as symbols of His body and blood — a covenant of forgiveness and eternal life. In Gethsemane, Jesus wrestles in prayer, surrendering to the Father’s will even as His disciples fall asleep, displaying His divine obedience in the face of human weakness. The chapter closes with His arrest, Peter’s denial, and the religious leaders’ mockery — setting the stage for the ultimate act of redemption through betrayal and suffering.
Matthew 27
Matthew 27 captures the darkest hour of humanity as Jesus is condemned to death. Judas, stricken with guilt, returns the silver and ends his life, fulfilling prophecy about the price of betrayal. Jesus stands before Pilate, silent and steadfast, while the crowd chooses Barabbas, a criminal, over the innocent Son of God. Mocked, beaten, and crowned with thorns, Jesus is led to Golgotha, where He is crucified between two thieves. His cry, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” reveals the depth of His suffering as He bears the full weight of sin. At His death, the temple veil tears from top to bottom, symbolizing restored access to God through Christ. Even the Roman centurion recognizes His divinity, and faithful women watch from afar as His body is laid in a borrowed tomb, guarded by soldiers — yet heaven’s plan for resurrection is already in motion.
Matthew 28
Matthew 28 proclaims the greatest victory in human history — the resurrection of Jesus Christ. At dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary find the stone rolled away and an angel announcing, “He is not here; He is risen!” The resurrection confirms Jesus’ divine authority and the truth of His promises. The guards, bribed by the chief priests, spread false reports, but no lie can overshadow the light of the risen King. When Jesus appears to His disciples in Galilee, He commissions them to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching them in His name. This “Great Commission” establishes the ongoing mission of the Church — empowered by Christ’s eternal presence: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” The Gospel ends not with death, but with everlasting life and a divine mandate to proclaim His glory to the world.
Origin & Meaning of the Name:
The name Matthew comes from the Hebrew name “Mattityahu”, which means “Gift of Yahweh” or “Gift of the Lord.” This name beautifully reflects Matthew’s role as one chosen by God to record the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Before following Jesus, Matthew was a tax collector, a profession often despised in Jewish society, yet his name signifies that God can transform anyone into a vessel of divine purpose and truth.
Purpose of the Book:
The Gospel of Matthew was written to present Jesus Christ as the long-awaited Messiah, the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, and the rightful King of the Jews. Its primary purpose is to prove that Jesus is the promised Savior who fulfills the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17). Matthew emphasizes the Kingdom of Heaven, a theme unique to his Gospel, portraying Jesus as both the divine Son of God and the authoritative teacher who reveals the righteousness of God’s kingdom. The book bridges the Old and New Testaments, showing how Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection complete God’s redemptive plan. Matthew’s Gospel also provides a blueprint for discipleship, emphasizing faith, obedience, and spreading the good news to all nations (Matthew 28:18–20).
Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:
The author of the Gospel is traditionally identified as Matthew, also called Levi, one of Jesus’ twelve apostles. He was a Jewish tax collector before Jesus called him to follow Him (Matthew 9:9; Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27–28). Early church tradition strongly affirms Matthew’s authorship.
Internal Evidence: The Gospel includes detailed financial references (such as the coin in the fish’s mouth in Matthew 17:27 and the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14–30), which align with Matthew’s background as a tax collector and accountant.
External Evidence: Early Christian writers confirm Matthew’s authorship:
Papias (c. A.D. 100–140), as quoted by Eusebius in Ecclesiastical History (Book 3, Chapter 39), wrote: “Matthew composed the oracles (sayings) in the Hebrew language, and everyone interpreted them as he was able.”
Irenaeus (c. A.D. 180), in Against Heresies (Book 3, Chapter 1), stated that “Matthew also issued a written Gospel among the Hebrews in their own dialect while Peter and Paul were preaching in Rome.”
Origen (c. A.D. 230) and Eusebius both affirmed Matthew as the author of the first Gospel.Additionally, the Gospel itself aligns with Jewish customs and thought, indicating that its author had a deep understanding of Jewish law and prophecy—consistent with Matthew’s identity as a Jewish disciple.
Key People:
Jesus Christ – The central figure, revealed as the Messiah, King, and Son of God.
Mary and Joseph – The earthly parents of Jesus, demonstrating faith and obedience.
John the Baptist – The forerunner who prepared the way for Christ through repentance and baptism.
The Twelve Disciples – Including Peter, James, John, Andrew, and Matthew himself, chosen by Jesus to continue His ministry.
The Pharisees and Sadducees – Religious leaders who opposed Jesus and represent hypocrisy and legalism.
Pontius Pilate – The Roman governor who authorized Jesus’ crucifixion.
Mary Magdalene – A faithful follower of Jesus who witnessed His resurrection.
The Angel of the Lord – A recurring messenger of God’s direction and revelation throughout the narrative.
Conclusion
The Book of Matthew serves as a powerful declaration that Jesus Christ is the promised King and Savior who fulfills God’s covenant promises. It bridges prophecy with fulfillment, law with grace, and Israel’s hope with the world’s redemption. Matthew’s Gospel calls believers to recognize Jesus not only as the Messiah of Israel but as the Redeemer of all humanity. Through His teachings, miracles, and ultimate sacrifice, Jesus reveals the heart of God and the call for His followers to live as citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. The book concludes with the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20), reminding us that God’s purpose for His people is to share His truth, make disciples, and continue His work on earth through faith, obedience, and love.
What is God's Name in these Chapters?
In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.
Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.
"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.
Matthew 26
In Matthew 26, we see the holiness, sovereignty, and compassion of God revealed through Jesus’ obedience and humility. Even as betrayal and suffering draw near, Jesus remains steadfast in fulfilling the Father’s will, showing that God’s plans are perfect even when they involve pain. His patience toward the disciples, who fall asleep in Gethsemane, reflects God’s mercy and understanding of human frailty. Through Jesus’ surrender in prayer — “Not as I will, but as You will” — we learn that true strength is found in submission to God’s purpose, trusting His wisdom over our own desires.
Though no specific Hebrew names of God are directly mentioned in this chapter, His nature as Adonai (The Lord and Master) is clearly displayed. Jesus’ submission to the Father’s will exemplifies God’s authority and rightful rule over all creation. The lesson is that obedience to God, even when costly, leads to spiritual victory and fulfills His divine purpose. Like Jesus, we are called to trust that the Father’s plan is good, even when the path is filled with trials.
Matthew 27
In Matthew 27, God’s justice and mercy meet at the cross. The chapter exposes humanity’s sin and the innocence of Christ, showing that God’s holiness cannot overlook sin but also that His love provides redemption. Jesus’ silence before His accusers demonstrates divine restraint and compassion — He endures injustice to fulfill the will of the Father and secure our salvation. The tearing of the temple veil at His death reveals God’s desire for restored relationship with His people, symbolizing open access to His presence through the sacrifice of His Son.
The cry from the cross, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” quotes Psalm 22:1, addressing Eli, Eli — a form of Elohim (The Mighty God). This name emphasizes God’s supreme power, even in moments of suffering. The lesson here is that God’s presence remains faithful even when we cannot feel Him. Through the death of Jesus, Elohim shows that His strength is made perfect in weakness, and His plan for redemption is greater than human understanding.
Matthew 28
In Matthew 28, God’s character is revealed through His power, faithfulness, and victory over death. The resurrection demonstrates that nothing is impossible for God — He is the giver of life and the fulfiller of every promise. His appearance to the women and His commission to the disciples show that God is personal, relational, and purposeful in extending His Kingdom through His people. The promise “I am with you always” reflects His eternal faithfulness and presence with those who believe.
Although no Hebrew names are directly mentioned in this chapter, God’s nature as El Shaddai (God Almighty) and Jehovah Shammah (The Lord is There) are manifested through the resurrection and Jesus’ assurance of continual presence. The lesson from Matthew 28 is that believers can live in confidence and boldness, knowing that the risen Christ empowers and accompanies us in every mission. God’s victory over the grave is our assurance that His promises never fail and His presence never departs.
Christ in Every Book of the Bible
Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.
Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.
The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!
Questions:
Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.
Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?
How does Jesus’ obedience in Gethsemane reflect the Father’s perfect will and compassion for humanity?
What does God’s patience toward the disciples’ weakness in Matthew 26 reveal about His mercy and understanding nature?
How does the crucifixion in Matthew 27 display both God’s justice against sin and His mercy toward sinners?
In what ways does the tearing of the temple veil demonstrate God’s desire for intimacy and restored relationship with His people?
How does the resurrection in Matthew 28 reveal God’s power and faithfulness to fulfill His promises?
What does Jesus’ promise “I am with you always” teach us about God’s unchanging presence and reliability?
How do these chapters together show that God’s character is both righteous in judgment and gracious in redemption?
Questions About Themes:
What role does surrender play in God’s plan of redemption as seen in Jesus’ prayer at Gethsemane?
How do betrayal and denial in Matthew 26 highlight the human tendency to fall short of faithfulness, and how does God respond to it?
In Matthew 27, what theme of substitution or sacrifice emerges from the crowd choosing Barabbas over Jesus?
How does the cross serve as the ultimate display of love and reconciliation between God and humanity?
What is the significance of the resurrection in affirming Jesus’ identity as the Son of God and Savior of the world?
How do faith and obedience connect to the Great Commission in Matthew 28?
What overarching theme unites Matthew 26–28 as the fulfillment of God’s covenant promises throughout Scripture?
Reflective Application Questions:
How can you follow Jesus’ example of surrendering to God’s will even when it conflicts with your own desires?
In what ways might fear or weakness cause you to deny or distance yourself from Christ, and how can you overcome it?
How does remembering Jesus’ suffering on the cross shape your gratitude and worship in daily life?
What does the resurrection mean to you personally, and how does it influence the way you live out your faith?
How can you live with greater awareness of God’s constant presence and power, as promised in Matthew 28:20?
What steps can you take to actively share the message of Christ’s resurrection and hope with others?
How can meditating on these chapters deepen your trust in God’s sovereignty, even when His plan involves seasons of testing or pain?
These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.
Reference Guides:
Life Application Study Guide
A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler
The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans
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