The time has come for the Passover. The Jews were plotting to kill Jesus, but they had not found a way, that is until Judas entered the scene. The Jews were still afraid of what the people would say or do. Judas made it easy for them. The gospel writers tell us that “Judas watched for an opportune time” to hand Jesus over to the Jews.
The Betrayal (Luke 22:1-6)
- What is significant about the “unleavened bread” and the Passover?
- What prompted Judas’ actions? Do you remember what happened at the end of Jesus’ temptation just after Jesus’ baptism? Go to Luke 4:13
- Luke’s account does not tell us but Judas received thirty pieces of silver as his fee for turning Jesus over to the rulers. These thirty silver coins were the approximate price for a slave.
Judas
All of the Gospels place him at the end of the list of disciples because of his role as betrayer. Iscariot is an Aramaic word which means “man of Kerioth”, a town near Hebron. He was the only disciple from Judea. He acted as treasurer for the disciples but was known as a miser and a thief (John 12:5-6). He was present at the Last Supper, during which Jesus predicted his betrayal (Luke 22:21; Matt. 26:20-21). The price of the betrayal was 30 pieces of silver, which Judas returned to Jewish leaders; then he went out and hanged himself. He died in sorrow but without repentance. The money, which could not be returned to the treasury because it was blood money, was used to buy a potter’s field in Judas’ name (Matt. 27:3-10; compare Acts 1:18-19).
The Passover Meal (Matthew 26:17-25)
- The disciples asked Jesus where He wanted them to make preparations for the Passover meal. We are told that a certain man had already been chosen by our Lord. What did Jesus tell His disciples to say to this certain man?
- As they were around the table, Jesus says, “one of you will betray me.” What was their reaction?
- What does Jesus say about the one who will betray Him? Go back to Psalm 41:9. What does the psalmist say about the betrayal? Do you think the psalmist was only talking about Judas?
- After Judas has been identified as the betrayer, what do you think was going through their minds?
The Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26-30)
- The words of institution are sometimes taken for granted. Some Christian faiths take a differing view of the Lord’s Supper – representation of the Lord’s body or changed into (called transubstantiation). What words does the gospel writer use?
- This ________my body.
- This________my blood.
- Jesus reminded His disciples that He would partake of the vine until when? ______________
Peter’s Betrayal Predicted (Matthew 26:31-35)
- Jesus tells His disciples that they will all fall away. He quotes the prophet Zechariah. How does Peter reply with the others following suit?
- Then at the close Peter says, “even if I have to die with You, I will never disown You.”
Not only was Jesus going to suffer the humiliating death on the cross, but He would be carrying the weight of our sins – The Great High Priest. Peter and the others again say they will never disown Jesus. How do we disown Jesus at times? Do we run and hide as the disciples did?
Lord God, my heart is very heavy. I can feel the weight of my own grief from my disbelief and how I have mistreated You by not doing as I should. Just saying I’m sorry for what I have done lightens the burden. Thank you for the forgiveness for all my sins earned by your Son on Calvary’s cross. The assurance of that lasting atonement can pull me through this life’s snares and temptations. Thank you, Lord, for all that you have done and will continue to do in my life until that glorious day when we will be reunited in our heavenly home. Amen.