Anointed to Die Pete Kersker - Apr 02, 2026 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, "As you know, the Passover is two days away--and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified" (Matthew 26:1-2 NIV). Jesus took three years to teach his disciples (students) that he is the Messiah, the Christ, the Anointed One sent from God. He also gave them the "keys to the kingdom" by teaching them over those three years. Jesus taught them how to return to God, walk with God in this life, and live with God forever in the next. While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked. "This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor." Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial (Matthew 26:6-12 NIV). The disciples (students) focused on the prophecies about the Anointed One reigning as King, so Jesus didn't need to teach or remind them of those prophecies. The suffering Messiah (e.g. Isaiah 53; Psalm 22) was not a part of their picture, though. Jesus taught them again and again that God's Anointed One would suffer and die to provide forgiveness for our sins. They did not want that to be true. On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?" He replied, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.'" So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.(Matthew 26:17-19 NIV). The Passover meal would be the last time Jesus prepared his disciples (students) for his death. He continued equipping them with the "keys of the kingdom" by explaining the meaning of his death. Jesus prepared them for the end of animal sacrifices and a new covenant that would be established with his blood. Jesus was going to his death to take our place. While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins" (Matthew 26:26-28 NIV). Today we remember this final Passover meal and the new meaning Jesus gave to the bread and cup. We remember that, right up until the end, Jesus equipped his disciples (students) with everything they needed to see, join, and walk with God. Everything Jesus did was motivated by love. "I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom" (Matthew 26:29 NIV). Did you know that Jesus, the Messiah, was "anointed to die"? Did you know that he equipped his disciples (students) with the "keys to the kingdom" (his teaching) right up until the end? Do you see his love shining through all these actions? How?