Thursday…Betrayal, The Lord’s Supper, and The Prospect of Denial
First; the betrayal
On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do You want us to prepare the Passover so You may eat it? ”
“Go into the city to a certain man,” He said, “and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My time is near; I am celebrating the Passover at your place with My disciples.’ ”
So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.
When evening came, He was reclining at the table with the Twelve. While they were eating, He said, “I assure you: One of you will betray Me.”
Deeply distressed, each one began to say to Him, “Surely not I, Lord? ”
He replied, “The one who dipped his hand with Me in the bowl — he will betray Me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”
Then Judas, His betrayer, replied, “Surely not I, Rabbi? ”
“You have said it,” He told him.
Matthew 26:17-25 HCSB
https://bible.com/bible/72/mat.26.17-25.HCSB
The date at the time? 15 Nissan. It was the first day of Passover. Jesus and His disciples were set to enjoy the Passover meal. While they ate, Jesus began to tell about the betrayal that was coming. He even proclaims that it is something that has to happen, but with dire consequences!
According to John’s gospel (13:27) the moment Judas ate the bread that Jesus had given him, the Devil entered into him. Jesus knows what is about to happen and yet He sits and enjoys the meal; teaching His disciples as usual.
He knows the plans that God has laid out for us, and still requests our company. In the face of betrayal, Jesus continues to carry on. If we allow Him, He will carry on in us as well. Even when things look darkest.
Next; the Supper
As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take and eat it; this is My body.”
Then He took a cup, and after giving thanks, He gave it to them and said, “Drink from it, all of you.
For this is My blood that establishes the covenant; it is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins. But I tell you, from this moment I will not drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it in a new way in My Father’s kingdom with you.”
After singing psalms, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Matthew 26:26-30 HCSB
https://bible.com/bible/72/mat.26.26-30.HCSB
Faced with betrayal, and having knowledge of His pending crucifixion; Jesus establishes what we now refer to as “Communion.” This is the scene of the Last Supper.
Jesus and eleven (11) of His disciples are gathered in the upper guest room of a house in Jerusalem for Passover. They are relaxing around the table when Jesus takes a piece of the unleavened bread and shares it with His followers. He tells them that this is to represent His body (broken for their sins) and that they should continue this as a tradition to remember Him. He then takes up His cup, filled with wine, and shares it with them as well. He tells them that it represents His blood (spilt for all mankind). Again, they are to do this in remembrance of Him.
The Lord’s Supper, Holy Sacrament, Communion, whatever it is called at your church was established here, at the Last Supper of Jesus Christ. Paul tells us that we should prepare ahead of time for this event, and that it should never be taken lightly.
Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy way will be guilty of sin against the body and blood of the Lord. So a man should examine himself; in this way he should eat the bread and drink from the cup. For whoever eats and drinks without recognizing the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself. This is why many are sick and ill among you, and many have fallen asleep. If we were properly evaluating ourselves, we would not be judged, but when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord, so that we may not be condemned with the world.
1 Corinthians 11:27-32 HCSB
https://bible.com/bible/72/1co.11.27-32.HCSB
So, if you are planning on taking Communion this week, be sure to examine yourself first. And remember that it is all in remembrance of Him!
Finally; the prospect of denial
Then Jesus said to them, “Tonight all of you will run away because of Me, for it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered. But after I have been resurrected, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”
Peter told Him, “Even if everyone runs away because of You, I will never run away! ”
“I assure you,” Jesus said to him, “tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times! ”
“Even if I have to die with You,” Peter told Him, “I will never deny You! ”
And all the disciples said the same thing.
Matthew 26:31-35 HCSB
https://bible.com/bible/72/mat.26.31-35.HCSB
After the meal, Jesus led His disciples to the Mount of Olives to pray and rest. While there He tells them that they will all deny Him. The majority of them will run away while He is being arrested. In fact, Mark mentions that one person that was following Him that night ran away naked (14:51-52).
Peter speaks up and says that he would never deny Jesus, but Jesus assures him that not only would Peter deny Him, but that he would do it three (3) times before the rooster crows.
This will give us another betrayal sequence to explore later, but it identifies the fact that we all will more than likely deny or betray Christ at some point in our lives. The important part will be our reaction. Keep heart that Christ stands ready to die for you at this point. In fact He already has!
