Last Supper
Notes
Transcript
As we looked at Judas, and what the price was he received to betray Jesus. I have often wondered what went through the mind of Judas as he went back and was with Jesus and the other disciples. Was there any remorse? Was there any second doubts? Was there any shame? In contrast, is there any shame when we sell out and forsake Jesus with the decisions we make also? While we may not take money, we still sell out to the world, our desires, and things that come between the relationship Jesus desires with us, and the relationship we choose to have with Him.
Now, Jesus has entered into Jerusalem with the fanfare of palm leaves and the crowds shouting Hosanna - a word used during the Feast of Tabernacles when the priest reached a certain point in the ceremony, a trumpet sounded and all the people waved branches of palms, myrtles, willows, and shouted Hosanna.
The Feast of Tabernacles was a celebration of the end of the religious year, and Passover would then bring in the new calendar year. Notice this closely, as Jesus came in, He was celebrated knowing the end was coming BUT the NEW would soon begin.
As Jesus sent the disciples to prepare the upper room, they were getting ready to celebrate Passover, as they had done all the years of their life. Nothing out of the ordinary, nothing unusual, not thinking it would be different than any other Passover meal they would have celebrated.
But Jesus knew the significance of this meal.
1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
While reclining and eating, they would receive news that none of the expected. We could assume even Judas, the one who had betrayed Jesus, was not expecting to hear what would be said.
Recline and Eat
Recline and Eat
17 And when it was evening, he came with the twelve.
18 And as they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.”
The meal had already been prepared. We can assume, as they were preparing for Passover, certain ritual would have taken place and the ceremony leading to the Seder meal would be started.
The Maror - bitter herbs represented by horseradish symbolizing the harshness in which the Jews were treated.
Charoset: This is a mixture of apples, wine, walnuts and cinnamon and is used to represent the bricks and mortar used by the Hebrews.
Karpas: A vegetable, often celery or parsley, is used to represent hope and renewal. The karpas is dipped in salt water before eaten to represent the tears of the Jews when they were slaves.
Zeroah: The shank bone on the plate symbolizes the Pascal Lamb whose blood was painted on the doors of the Israelites so that God would pass over the homes during the 10th plague (slaying of the firstborn).
Beitzah: The hardboiled egg represents the circle of life.
Matzo: Three pieces of matzo are stacked on a separate plate. The middle matzo is broken and one half of it is put aside as the afikomen, which the father will hide and have the children search for in return for a prize - A FREE GIFT. The other half of the broken matzo will be used to make a Hillel sandwich, which includes the maror and charoset.
Then the leader says: On Passover we recline, or sit comfortably, as free people. In contrast, the Israelites ate the first Passover meal standing, ready to leave any minute.
Mark points out they were reclining, leading us to conclude they were observing this Seder meal, when Jesus breaks from the traditional script. Not leading them in the recitation, but instead bringing an accusation.
One of you will betray me. All four gospels give a similar account.
Matthew 26:21 “21 And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.””
Luke 22:21 “21 But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table.”
John 13:21 “21 After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.””
But what occurs afterwards should not be taken for granted.
Guilty Conscience
Guilty Conscience
19 They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one after another, “Is it I?”
20 He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the dish with me.
All of them had a guilty conscience. All of them fell under conviction. Is it I? The weight of guilt weighed on them to the point that it grieved them. Too often, we are no longer grieved when Jesus points out to us that we have betrayed him.
We can betray Him by rejecting salvation.
We can betray Him by placing our own thoughts before His.
We can betray Him by putting other things in front of Him.
The list can continue on and on, but then instead of being grieved, sorrowful, heavy in our hearts, and CORRECTING the action, we get mad at the one who points it out or convince ourselves it really isn’t all that bad.
What had the disciples done that Jesus pointing out one of them would betray Him would put them all into a state of burden?
Each of them were convicted, and broken, examining themselves so they could see where they had failed Jesus. Notice they weren’t looking at each other and calling out their brother’s sins…they were looking at themselves. What a lesson for us today!
The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible makes this statement: “Judas was seated there also. He heard the words of Jesus. What were his thoughts? He had tried to hide his sin and he had done a good job. In his mind no one knew about his sin (plot), not even the disciples who were his closest associates. But he was wondering, “Does Jesus know; or is Jesus stabbing in the dark, guessing, suspicious, aware that something is brewing, but not quite sure what?” Scripture is silent about the betrayer’s thoughts, but one thing is known: Judas was not convicted of his sin, at least not enough to repent.
Too often, we are convicted of our sins. We feel the weight and burden of those sins. But we, too, are not convicted enough to repent. Why? Maybe it is because we have convinced ourselves it “isn’t that bad”, or “everyone else does it”, maybe even “God and I have worked it out”. Let me tell you something today. Sin is that bad, it doesn’t matter WHO else does it, and if it is sinful you may have fooled yourself but God will NEVER approve of it.
Final Warning
Final Warning
21 For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”
As I have already stated in the opening, Jesus knew His earthly ministry was coming to an end. He reminds the disciples of this - He goes as it is written of Him. He was fulfilling prophecy! But notice the final warning given - woe to the man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed.
Jesus is giving Judas a last chance to repent of his sins before judgment would come to him. Still, even up until His betrayal, Jesus was extending grace to the sinner, warning and urging him to turn away from the sinful act of betrayal. Jesus knew God’s will had to be fulfilled, but still extended grace to the one who was to betray Him. Does that not just tear at your heart? Knowing Jesus cared enough for the betrayer, the one who would soon give the kiss identifying Jesus to the false accusers, one last chance of repentance.
Sinner, let me very clear. It is not too late. Jesus still extends that same grace to you today. You have an opportunity to repent of your sins, and turn to Jesus before it is eternally too late. You see, you betray yourself when you think you don’t need Jesus.
No one else knew who would betray Jesus. They were more concerned over their own spiritual condition than they were the spiritual condition of others. But then it is recorded in the Gospel of Matthew that Judas asks a question:
25 Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.”
Judas knew he was guilty. But Judas could not allow himself to show his guilt. He too, asked the same question as the rest of the disciples. But this time, Jesus answers. You have said so.
Judas, you know good and well that you are the one who is going to betray me! You have already taken the 30 pieces of silver! You value me no more than a common servant! You KNOW you are the one!
Oh, how would we have reacted? What would WE have told Judas if we were there, knowing what we know now? You see, I don’t think things were really sinking in with the rest of the disciples. I think they were numb, confused, trying to sort out what Jesus had told them. Simon Peter even asks the one Jesus loved - John - to ask Jesus to clarify WHICH ONE of them would betray them. They were burdened at the thought it could be one of THEM.
John records the answer to his question in John 13:25-26
25 So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?”
26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.
And notice what happended.
27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.”
You see, Judas didn’t do this on his own. He didn’t just up and decide one day he didn’t like Jesus any more and would sell him out to the Jewish leaders set on killing him. In both accounts - when he went to the chief priests and temple guards and now - we are told Satan entered him.
BE VERY AWARE OF THIS…it doesn’t matter how many times you come to church, it doesn’t matter if you know every word of the bible from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21, it doesn’t even matter if you THINK you’re walking with Jesus - if you do not have a true relationship with Him, repenting of sin, and following Him continually you can fall prey to Satan too.
30 So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.
New Meaning
New Meaning
22 And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.”
23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it.
24 And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.
25 Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
After Judas left, Jesus could turn His focus back to the rest of the disciples. You see, no longer would they be celebrating the Passover, but they would be celebrating the Lord’s Supper. You see, the Passover meaning had been fulfilled - they no longer needed to be reminded that God had spared them from Egypt. Now, they would be reminded that Jesus spared them from Hell.
As He had told the multitudes gathered together, if you do not eat of my flesh and drink of my blood you cannot have eternal life.
54 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.
Now, Jesus is making this statement clear to the 11 remaining in the upper room.
Jesus took the bread.
Jesus took the cup.
Jesus gave us hope.
Jesus and the disciples sang a hymn.
17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.
18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
He was showing them the love about to be demonstrated to each and every one of us, by laying His own life down and the resurrection that would follow so that each of us would have the opportunity to be forgiven of our sins and have the hope of eternal life in heaven.
Closing
Closing
Sometimes we mistake knowledge for a relationship. We can NEVER forget it is the relationship that makes the difference in our lives.
Jesus desired a RELATIONSHIP with His disciples. And even Judas was given an opportunity right up to the very end to repent and believe in Jesus as his Savior.
As we look forward to celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and Savior next week, I want you to look deep into your religious mirror. Take a deep look at our Christianity and pull out the scales of religion and place our knowledge of God on one side, and our RELATIONSHIP we have with God on the other. Which way will the scale tip? You see, it’s not just KNOWING the Bible, it’s not just KNOWING the story of the crucifixion, it’s not just believing that Jesus was resurrected, but EVERYTHING weighs on the relationship we have with Him.
If you are unsure of your relationship with Jesus today, the altar is open. Come.