Whose Are You?
Opening Prayer
Father of light, I am coming to Your Word because I want to know You. Transform me as I open my heart to You.
Read Matthew 26:17-30
[17] On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” [18] He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.'” [19] So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. [20] When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. [21] And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” [22] They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?” [23] Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. [24] The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” [25] Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said so.” [26] While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” [27] Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. [28] This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. [29] I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” [30] When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Do we hide from ourselves as Judas did? In what ways?Yesterday’s betrayal does not take Jesus by surprise. As the passage draws to a climax with the Last Supper, Jesus warns that one of the twelve will betray him (21). To this implicit challenge Judas responds with a bare-faced lie: “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” (25). He has already sold his friend for money, and now he follows betrayal with deception. Jesus, in full view of this darkness, picks up the bread, breaks it and gives it to the disciples. The breaking of Jesus’ body and the pouring out of his blood symbolized in this Last Supper is going to happen in full view of his enemies. As Jesus pours out the wine he announces the “new covenant” and “the forgiveness of sins” (28) and, as if to remind us of how much we all need this forgiveness and how dark and broken the world is, Judas is right there with them all.
Apply
Write a letter to the Lord about the significance of what he’s done. Thank him specifically for what the cross means to you.
Closing prayer
Humble King, I will never cease to be amazed at what You have done for me. Thank You for forgiveness and new life!
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