Matthew - Week 82

The Scriptures Declared 

READ 

Matthew 26:23-24 

23 He replied, “One of you who has just eaten from this bowl with me will betray me. 24 For the Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born!” 

Jesus had said that one of those present would betray Him. Each disciple asked if he was the one to whom Jesus was referring. Jesus identified the person in this statement. Some believe Judas was reclining on the left of Jesus, which was a place of honor. Jesus was still treating him with grace even though He knew Judas was the one who would betray Him.  

REFLECT 

Does it amaze you that Jesus keeps showing grace to Judas even though He knows Judas will betray Him? Does it help you to better understand the grace He has shown to you? 

RESPOND 

Talk with a friend about God’s grace and mercy. Even though He knows many will reject what He has done to provide salvation, He still loves them and wants them to be saved. Although He has prepared hell for the devil and his demons (see Matthew 25:41), He wants all to be saved (see 2 Peter 3:9).  

Judas 

READ 

Matthew 26:25  

25 Judas, the one who would betray him, also asked, “Rabbi, am I the one?” And Jesus told him, “You have said it.” 

Judas addressed Jesus as “Rabbi,” and not as “Lord.” Judas did not recognize Jesus as God nor as the Lord of his life. Judas knew he was the one who would betray Jesus. One wonders why he asked the question. Apparently the other disciples did not hear this interaction or they might never have let Judas leave the room. 

REFLECT 

Think how serious the hatred was in the heart of Judas that he would want to send Jesus to His ultimate trial and death. 

RESPOND 

Talk again with a friend about some who may seem to go along with what believers are doing, as Judas did, but have hatred in their hearts about Jesus. They may even refer to Him as a great person but do not believe He is God and should be Lord of their lives. 

Communion 

READ 

Matthew 26:26-28 

26 As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take this and eat it, for this is my body.”  

27 And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it, 28 for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.” 

Some debate about whether the bread and cup of wine are only symbols or if they turn into the actual body and blood of the Lord Jesus. There would have been no mistaking this had you been reclining at the meal with Jesus. They could only be symbols. The “covenant” referred to would refer back to Jeremiah 31:31-34. This covenant promised forgiveness of sin for the nation of Israel. The symbols Jesus used also looked ahead to His death on the cross “as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.”  

REFLECT 

Consider how important it is for you to observe the Lord’s Supper.  

RESPOND 

With another believer read what the apostle Paul wrote about the Lord’s Supper in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. Notice there are no instructions for how often one should observe it. Also notice what it is to help you remember. 

Mark My Words 

READ 

Matthew 26:29-30 

29 “Mark my words—I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my Father’s Kingdom.” 30 Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives. 

Jesus said He would not drink wine again until He did it in His Father’s kingdom. The sample prayer He taught the disciples has the statement, “May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). In the future when the kingdom is on earth Jesus will again celebrate this Passover Supper as a remembrance. In the Old Testament the Passover looked ahead to the time when Jesus would be the sacrificial lamb. In the future 1000-year kingdom on earth the view will look back to His sacrificial death.  

REFLECT 

Think of all the symbolism being pictured as Jesus took the elements at the Last Supper. 

RESPOND 

Matthew 26:30 reveals a pivotal moment. The supper was over and the scene shifts to the Mount of Olives. Read these passages together with a friend so these last days of Jesus’ life on earth sink deeply into your hearts.  

Scattered Sheep 

READ 

Matthew 26:31-32 

31 On the way, Jesus told them, “Tonight all of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say, ‘God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I have been raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.” 

This is a sobering message from Jesus to His disciples. Although He’d referred to His death and resurrection before, the disciples did not grasp the full significance. Even later when Peter and John would come to the empty tomb, John 20:3-9 reveals they did not understand until that time that Jesus would rise from the dead. 

REFLECT 

Had you been following Jesus with the disciples, do you think you would have grasped the thought that He would someday die and rise from the dead? 

RESPOND 

Talk with a friend about what you would have done had you been with Jesus and He said you would desert Him. After following Him for three years, do you think His words would describe what you would do?