CROSS TO COMMISSION | Between Devotion & Deceit | Matthew 26:1-16 | Philip Anthony Mitchell

In reflecting on the events of the past weeks, it is clear that God is moving in ways that far exceed our expectations. The gathering of tens of thousands for prayer and worship in Atlanta was not about filling a building, but about seeking the Lord together—inside, outside, and even in the streets. This is a reminder that God’s purposes are not limited by our plans or our venues. The true miracle is the unity and hunger for God that He is stirring in His people.

As we turn to Matthew 26, we stand at the threshold of the most significant moments in history: the cross and the resurrection. These chapters are the apex of the gospel, the culmination of God’s redemptive plan. Every human being is born into sin, separated from God, and in desperate need of rescue. The cross is the only escape from this condition, for it is there that Christ absorbed the wrath of God and exchanged His righteousness for our unrighteousness. This is not just theology—it is the foundation of our hope and the reason for our devotion.

The narrative of Mary and her alabaster box confronts us with a question: What does true devotion look like? Mary’s act was extravagant—she poured out a year’s wages in worship, holding nothing back. Her devotion was misunderstood, even criticized, but Jesus called it beautiful. She saw nothing in her life as too valuable to lay at His feet. This challenges us to examine our own hearts: Is there anything we withhold from Christ? Do we love Him more than anything else in this life? Are we content with busyness and ministry, or do we long to simply sit at His feet?

In contrast, Judas chose deceit over devotion. Disappointed and unwilling to receive correction, he sold out Christ for a handful of silver. The difference between Mary and Judas is not just in their actions, but in the posture of their hearts. One was captivated by love; the other by self-interest and unmet expectations.

The call is clear: to be a people marked by deep, sacrificial love for Christ—a love that overflows into every area of our lives. May we be found at His feet, pouring out our lives in worship, and holding nothing back.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Cross Is the Only Escape from Sin Every person is born into sin, separated from God, and destined for spiritual death apart from Christ. The cross is not just a symbol, but the very means by which God’s wrath is satisfied and His righteousness is given to us. No amount of good works, morality, or religious activity can substitute for the saving work of Jesus. The only way to be justified before God is to trust in Christ alone, who bore our penalty and offers us new life. [12:15]
• 2. True Devotion Is Costly and Misunderstood Mary’s act of pouring out a year’s wages in worship was extravagant and misunderstood by those around her. Genuine devotion to Christ will often be met with confusion, criticism, or even opposition—even from those closest to us. Yet, true love for Jesus holds nothing back, seeing nothing as too valuable to surrender. The measure of our devotion is not in what we keep, but in what we are willing to lay at His feet. [38:18]
• 3. Ministry Must Flow from Intimacy, Not Busyness It is easy to substitute activity for intimacy—serving, leading, or even preaching without ever sitting at the feet of Jesus. The danger is a life full of Christian activity but empty of true relationship with Christ. Everything we do for God should be the overflow of time spent in His presence; otherwise, our labor becomes hollow and our witness compromised. The better thing is always to be found at His feet. [49:37]
• 4. Opposition Is a Sign of God’s Work, Not Its Absence Wherever God is moving, there will be opposition—sometimes from the outside, sometimes from within. Jesus faced resistance from the moment He was born, and so will anyone who truly follows Him. Rather than shrinking back, we are called to respond with prayer, love, and perseverance, knowing that opposition often confirms we are in the center of God’s will. [23:07]
• 5. The Posture of Our Heart Determines Our Legacy Mary and Judas were both in the presence of Jesus, but their responses could not have been more different. Mary’s devotion is remembered and honored wherever the gospel is preached; Judas’s deceit led to destruction. Our legacy is shaped not by our proximity to Christ, but by the posture of our heart—whether we choose devotion or deceit, surrender or self-interest. [56:16]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:51] - Honoring God’s Miraculous Gathering
• [03:40] - Invitation to Seekers and Unbelievers
• [04:17] - The Call of Matthew and the Power of a “Yes”
• [05:31] - Introducing “Cross to Commission”
• [08:23] - The Universal Struggle with Sin
• [12:15] - The Cross: God’s Redemptive Plan
• [16:00] - Jesus Predicts His Death and God’s Will Revealed
• [19:52] - The Plot Against Jesus During Passover
• [22:30] - No Ministry Without Opposition
• [29:44] - The Fear of Man vs. The Fear of God
• [31:43] - The Gratitude of Simon and the Devotion of Mary
• [38:18] - The Extravagance of True Devotion
• [49:37] - The Danger of Busyness Without Intimacy
• [56:16] - Mary’s Legacy and the Choice Between Devotion and Deceit
• [60:12] - Prayer for Deeper Love and Intimacy with Christ

Bible Reading

Matthew 26:1-16 (ESV) —
> 1 When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples,
> 2 “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”
> 3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas,
> 4 and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him.
> 5 But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.”
> 6 Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper,
> 7 a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table.
> 8 And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste?
> 9 For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.”
> 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me.
> 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me.
> 12 In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial.
> 13 Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”
> 14 Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests
> 15 and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver.
> 16 And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.

Observation Questions

1. What did Mary do with her alabaster flask, and how did the disciples react to her action? (Matthew 26:7-8)
2. According to the sermon, what was the significance of the timing of Jesus’ prediction about his death during Passover? [15:22]
3. How did Jesus respond to the criticism of Mary’s act, and what did he say about her legacy? (Matthew 26:10-13)
4. What did Judas do after witnessing these events, and what motivated his actions according to the sermon? [56:59]

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says Mary’s act was “extravagant” and misunderstood, even by those closest to Jesus. Why do you think true devotion to Christ is often misunderstood or criticized, even by other believers? [35:38]
2. The pastor described the difference between Mary and Judas as a difference in the “posture of their hearts.” What does it mean for someone’s heart to be postured toward devotion versus deceit? [58:12]
3. The sermon warns about substituting “activity for intimacy”—serving, leading, or even preaching without sitting at Jesus’ feet. Why is it dangerous to let busyness in ministry replace personal relationship with Christ? [49:37]
4. The pastor said that opposition is often a sign that God is at work, not that He is absent. How should believers respond when they face criticism or resistance for their faith? [23:07]

Application Questions

1. Mary poured out something extremely valuable to her—her alabaster box—at Jesus’ feet. Is there anything in your life that you find hard to surrender to Christ? What would it look like to lay that at His feet this week? [39:03]
2. The sermon challenged us to examine if we love Jesus more than anything else in this life. What is one area where your love for Christ could grow deeper, and what practical step could you take to pursue that? [43:24]
3. The pastor described how easy it is to get caught up in Christian activity without real intimacy with Jesus. Are there ways you’ve been “busy” for God but neglected time at His feet? What needs to change in your schedule or habits? [50:15]
4. When have you experienced misunderstanding or criticism for your devotion to Christ? How did you respond, and what could you do differently next time? [35:38]
5. Judas responded to disappointment and correction by turning away from Jesus. How do you typically respond when God doesn’t meet your expectations or when you feel corrected by Him? What would it look like to respond with humility instead? [58:12]
6. The sermon said that opposition is a sign of God’s work, not its absence. Is there an area where you’re facing resistance or pushback because of your faith? How can you respond with prayer, love, and perseverance this week? [23:07]
7. The pastor prayed for God to “demolish every idol” in our hearts. What is one “idol” (something you value more than Christ) that you need to surrender, and how can your group support you in this? [45:51]