Introduction.
Matthew states about betrayal and recounts the Last Supper, where Jesus institutes the practice of Communion with His disciples. During the meal, He breaks bread and shares wine, symbolizing His body and blood that would be sacrificed for humanity's sins of the whole world. This moment highlights the theme of God's new Covenant and love, as Jesus established a new relationship between God and His people through His impending sacrifice.
Contents.
1) (14 to 16)
Judas offers to betray Jesus.
2) (17 to 19)
The last Supper prepared.
3) (20 to 25)
The Betrayal predicted.
4) ( 26 30)
The Lord's Supper instituted.
5) ( 31 to 35)
Jesus predicts Peter's denial.
1) 14) Judas offers to Betray Jesus.
Then one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot,
went to the chief priests
15) and asked, "what are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?"
So they counted out thirty silver coins.
16) From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
1)Teaching.
Judas served Jesus and himself with money as he betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. It is thought that Judas had a plan to have Jesus arrested and
put him in a position to win over Rome and become King and Judas would be a hero for helping Jesus, he was proud and he didn't understand Jesus's purpose of sacrificing himself on the cross. Judas didn't have a close relationship with Jesus and didn't confide in him to see if his plans were right or not.
In his pride he thought he knew best and money was his goal.
Scripture; Matthew 6: 24; " No one can have two masters, either you will hate one and love the other. You cannot serve both God and money. (mammon)"
Judas was clearly double minded. Because of Judas's selfishness and pride he came to an unfortunate end, when he realised he was wrong.
scripture; James 1: 6-8 That man should not think he will receive anything from
the Lord; He is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does."
James 1 verse 8: To live with love and peace, let your mind be fixed on Christ alone. When we align our thoughts with His, we find stability in every circumstance.
.
2) The Last Supper prepared.
17) On the first day of the Feast 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.
2) Teaching.
The disciples obeyed Jesus.
Scripture; Proverbs 3: verses 5-6; " Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and
he will make straight your paths.
3) The Betrayal predicted.
20) When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve.
21) And while they were eating, he said, " I tell you the truth, one of you will
betray me."
22) They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other,
"Surely not I, 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 not I, Rabbi?"
Jesus answered, "Yes. it is you."
3) Teaching.
Judas's greed and pride took over him although to Jesus he denied it.
Scripture: Proverbs 16: v 18.
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
4) The Lord's Supper instituted.
26) While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it,
and gave it to his disciples , saying, " Take and eat;this is my body."
27) Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered 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 this fruit of the vine from now on until that day
when I drink it anew with you in my Father's Kingdom."
30) When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
4) Teaching.
We have regret and sorrow at what Jesus had to suffer because of our sins.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10: 16.
"Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?" Which emphasizes that Communion (the Lord's Supper) is a spiritual
union/fellowship with Christ's sacrifice.
And Hebrews 2: 14
"Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that
by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death,
that is the devil." Jesus is victorious.
We must examine ourselves before we partake of the communion as in
1 Corinthians 11: 28; Each one must examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.
Confess our sins and admit our total reliance upon Christ and his salvation.
And be reconciled to one another.
1 Corinthians 11: 26.
"For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."
This verse highlights that Communion ( the Lord's Supper) is a proactive
proclamation of Jesus' sacrifice for sins and complete healing.
Isaiah ch 53: v 5. By Jesus' stripes we are healed.
And a reminder of his promised return and eternal life to come.
5) Jesus predicts Peter's denial.
31) Then Jesus told them, "This very night you will all fall away on account of me. for it is written: in Zechariah 13: 7.
" I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered."
32) But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."
33) Pewter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will."
34) "I tell you the truth, Jesus answered, "this very night, before the cock crows,
you will disown me three times."
35) But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you."
All the other disciples said the same.
5) Teaching.
We can become too confident in ourselves, and become prideful, not trusting
Jesus with our lives, making ourselves Lord of our lives instead of Jesus.
And when the storm comes fear overtakes us and we fall.
So we must learn to trust in Jesus completely and surrender to him in all
of our lives.
As confident as Peter and the other disciples were of staying by Jesus' side when he got arrested. Their fear overtook them and they all ran away.
As they knew the Roman soldiers were barbaric and were ready to catch anyone in their way and crucify them, we can't blame them for running away, we would have done the same in their circumstances.
We learn in 1 John 4: 18. That perfect love casts out fear, emphasizing that God's complete, unconditional love(agape) eliminates fear, particularly the
fear of judgment or punishment. When believers fully accept and reside in
God's love, they gain confidence and security, removing the torment caused
by fear.
Example:
My experience was, I had a dream of being on stage and Jesus said,
"You will open your mouth and I will fill it."
I woke up and said, " No Lord, I am too scared to go on stage."
Then I stayed with my Uncle for a while in Blackpool, without me knowing he told the Minister of his Church about my testimony.
Then there was a special meeting and 200 people came to listen to an American Speaker. While we were waiting for him, the Minister had a call to say the speaker couldn't make the meeting.
So the Minister came up to me and told me about it, then he said, I want you to go up to the stage and tell everyone your testimony.
I said. " You're joking!" He said, "No I'm desperate, there are 200 people here waiting." I said, to our Lord, " Please help me and show me your love,"
Jesus said, " I am with you all the time, you can do this."
So I went on stage and remembered our Lord's words and his love and I felt his presence very closely and with his help I succeeded. Thank and praise our Lord. And the meeting was saved and many people got saved too.
Conclusion.
From this passage, the most important significance is of the communion and
remembrance, Jesus invites His followers to remember His sacrifice regularly.
A call that transcends time and is our core of Salvation in Jesus.
This act of communion serves as a deep reminder of the depth of God's love
for humanity and the sacrifice he went to secure our redemption.
The Last Supper also teaches us about unity and the importance of gathering
together as believers, sharing in fellowship and nurturing our spiritual relationships and keeping our Lord as the centre of our lives.
As in John 17: 14-16;
Where Jesus states to his followers are "not of the world, even as I am not of the world." It means living physically on earth (in the world) while adhering to divine, spiritual values rather than earthly ones ( not of the world).
To be humble and not get proud, and surrender to Jesus every day and learn
to be totally dependant upon Him and build a strong relationship with Jesus
our Lord, so when the storms come in our lives we will stand strong in our Lord
and do his will.
