Verse 2, “You know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” I love how Jesus told the disciples beforehand what would happen, even though they wouldn't get it in the present. I'm sure that many things Jesus spoke did not make sense to them until after they were fulfilled. Jesus predicted the disciples, including Peter, would stumble. Verses 31-34 “Then Jesus said to them, 'All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: "I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered." But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.' Peter answered and said to Him, 'Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.' Jesus said to him, 'Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.' ” Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves. This is why we can't trust our flesh, but we can trust His word.
Often we forget the frailty of our human condition and are deceived by ourselves and others. Peter never imagined he would betray Jesus, but he did. 1 Corinthians 10:12, "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall." We need to be humbly submitted to God and in prayer for strength from the Holy Spirit. Verse 41, "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” We know that our enemy is out to get us. 1 Peter 5:8, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." We have warnings throughout the Bible to "beware" and "take heed".
I'm sure Judas surprised the disciples with his betrayal of Jesus. As one the people closest to Jesus, and trusted to oversee the finances, it was not obvious to the rest that evil was in his heart. We have people like Judas in the church today. They often justify their evil intentions with something that sounds really spiritual and deceive those around them. For instance, Judas' indignation when Jesus was anointed with costly fragrant oil, had nothing to do with a noble cause to help the poor. John 12:4-6, "But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, 'Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?' This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it." Judas was an opportunist and most likely followed Jesus when he thought He would be a King. When things weren't working out the way Judas expected, he bailed and went to the opposing side. Again, there are people within the church today doing the same thing. Pray for discernment to see the truth. You cannot judge merely by outward appearance.
Continuing our walk in the faith is not an easy thing to do, and we cannot let our feelings guide us. Jesus is our ultimate example of obedience and endurance through trials and persecutions, and we are told beforehand, just like the disciples, what we can expect. 2 Peter 3:14-18, "Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen."
Matthew 26:14-16, 24, 39, 41, 59-60
ReplyDelete"Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him." Judas was willing to betray Jesus even though he had been a disciple of His. He chose to take money in exchange for Jesus's betrayal. Judas was following Jesus for himself. He wanted to be a part of Jesus's kingdom here on earth, but when he found out that wasnt going to happen he betrayed Him. Judas constantly looked after himself and wanted things for himself. "The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” there are people like Judas here today. They look after themselves, bit they claim to be Christians. They just have ulterior motives behind what they are doing.
Jesus spent time in prayer before he was handed over to authorities. "He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will. ” Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” he asked God if there he any other way, but He constantly said not my will but yours be done. His flesh didn't necessarily want to die and go through crucifixion, but he did His father's will. Jesus didn't run to the cross, he prayed earnestly that if there be any other way that this cup would pass from Him. Nevertheless, it was God's will that His son would die to save us from having to spend eternity in hell. Our flesh is weak, and we need to be in prayer that we may escape temptation. We need to pray for God's strength, and ultimately need to follow God's will over our own will.
"Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward" so many people tried to find something wrong with Jesus, but they couldn't find anything. He was perfect, without sin. All the false accusations didn't stick. This needs to be the same for us. Obviously we aren't perfect or sinless, but when accusations are thrown at us, they shouldn't be able to stick. People will accuse of of different things, and if they are all true, that doesn't make our witness very effective.
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, 'take eat, this is My body. Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom.' And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Matthew 26:26-30
ReplyDeleteJesus taught the disciples a new understanding of the covenant. The Jews celebrated the Passover all their lives. Many of them were seeing the Passover anew with Jesus as He shares communion with them and show them the symbolism of the wine and the unleavened bread. "This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." This new covenant opened doors for the Jews to relate to God in a different way. Jesus would shortly die on the cross. He wanted them to understand the prophecy that would be fulfilled in His death and the importance of the new covenant with His people. Each part of communion starting with the wine that represents the shed blood of Jesus Christ represents our hearts being cleansed by His blood. The anointment for our sin. The bread represents Jesus' body broken. He is the bread of life. Through His death burial and resurrection not only is it the fulfillment of prophecy but gifts us the ability to receive everlasting life. We know that He is alive. He rose from the dead to reign on high for us in Heaven. Sadly Jesus' betrayal had to take place in order for prophecy be fulfilled.
1 Peter 2:24-25 "who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness-by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls."