It has been a busy week in Jerusalem for Jesus and his disciples over the past few days. Now it is the first night of Passover and Jesus has sent Peter and John to find a man, only described as to be carrying a jar of water, to find the house where the Passover meal will be held. The man will lead them to a house and they will use the upper room there to prepare the meal.
As they are getting settled in and beginning to eat, Jesus drops a bombshell on them saying, "Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me." Imagine the sorrow the disciples began to feel in that moment as each one questioned, "Is it I?" Picture your family at a holiday dinner all gathered around the table when your parents stand up and announce that one of you children will bring dishonor, shame, and disgrace to the family name. How would you feel knowing it may be you? And as if they weren't already worried enough, Jesus goes on to add, "It would have been better for that man if he had not been born."
Then Jesus took the bread, blessed it, and gave it to the disciples saying, "Take, eat, this is my body." He then took a cup and again gave thanks and said, "Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."
Thoughts:
- The Passover carried significant weight for the Israelites because of its origin from when God had spared them from the plague of the first-born in Egypt. Jesus was also showing the people that he was becoming the Passover lamb of God. His blood would open the door to freedom and conquer sin for good.
- Judas had already made the decision to betray Jesus, yet shared in communion with him anyway.
- Jesus' death would usher in a new covenant from God as he was going to the cross as the sacrificial lamb for our sins, no longer requiring animal sacrifices but faith in Christ. "But now in Christ Jesus you who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility." - Ephesians 2:13-14.
During the last supper, each disciple asked themselves and each other, "Is it I?" It's most likely that at that time they were examining their own hearts and deepest desires. Jesus would go on later in the evening to predict Peter's denial, though he had been of his most faithful disciples. How often are we stopping to ask ourselves: How strong is my faith in the Lord? or Do I profess to follow Christ but not show it in my actions?
I hate to admit I've been like Peter. No I haven't denied that I know Jesus as my savior, but I have witnessed people say or do something I know is wrong and said nothing. I've heard people say things about fellow Christians and not said something on their behalf when I should have. If you aren't standing up for your faith, you're sitting down. When Jesus returns, I do not want him to find me sitting down.
As they are getting settled in and beginning to eat, Jesus drops a bombshell on them saying, "Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me." Imagine the sorrow the disciples began to feel in that moment as each one questioned, "Is it I?" Picture your family at a holiday dinner all gathered around the table when your parents stand up and announce that one of you children will bring dishonor, shame, and disgrace to the family name. How would you feel knowing it may be you? And as if they weren't already worried enough, Jesus goes on to add, "It would have been better for that man if he had not been born."
Then Jesus took the bread, blessed it, and gave it to the disciples saying, "Take, eat, this is my body." He then took a cup and again gave thanks and said, "Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."
Thoughts:
- The Passover carried significant weight for the Israelites because of its origin from when God had spared them from the plague of the first-born in Egypt. Jesus was also showing the people that he was becoming the Passover lamb of God. His blood would open the door to freedom and conquer sin for good.
- Judas had already made the decision to betray Jesus, yet shared in communion with him anyway.
- Jesus' death would usher in a new covenant from God as he was going to the cross as the sacrificial lamb for our sins, no longer requiring animal sacrifices but faith in Christ. "But now in Christ Jesus you who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility." - Ephesians 2:13-14.
During the last supper, each disciple asked themselves and each other, "Is it I?" It's most likely that at that time they were examining their own hearts and deepest desires. Jesus would go on later in the evening to predict Peter's denial, though he had been of his most faithful disciples. How often are we stopping to ask ourselves: How strong is my faith in the Lord? or Do I profess to follow Christ but not show it in my actions?
I hate to admit I've been like Peter. No I haven't denied that I know Jesus as my savior, but I have witnessed people say or do something I know is wrong and said nothing. I've heard people say things about fellow Christians and not said something on their behalf when I should have. If you aren't standing up for your faith, you're sitting down. When Jesus returns, I do not want him to find me sitting down.
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