When The Enemy Comes To Dinner

Matthew 26:17-35

INTRODUCTION

When you look at the deaths of the founders of all the other major religions, you see they are all fairly similar. Just going by the texts of the religions themselves, for example, Moses dies at 120 years old, full of years, as strong as ever, an undisputed leader who has brought his people to the verge of the Promised Land.

Buddha dies at the age of 80, surrounded by a host of his devotees, in peaceful serenity. Confucius had initially been forced to leave his hometown but returned to die in it. He was received there with honor. He dies at the age of 72 in his hometown of Qufu, surrounded by those who will continue his work. Muhammad died in his 60s after being the first political ruler of the United Arabia. He dies in the arms of his wife.

Let’s contrast that for a minute. When you come to Christianity, you have a man who dies at age 33 and has a ministry at the very most of three years. When he dies, he’s alienated from his own people. He’s killed by the colonial power of Rome. Almost all of his friends abandon him, and if you believe the text, he’s even abandoned by God.

His death is premature. It’s tragic. It’s a disgrace. It’s shameful because it’s a crucifixion, and crucifixion was the most shameful, the most disgraceful of all forms of execution. Only the very worst criminals faced crucifixion. You were stripped naked, and you died in indescribable pain, with everybody just looking at you in scorn and disgust.

Why would anyone have looked at Jesus Christ, looked at the manner of his death, seeing him die that way, penniless and naked, and say, “That’s the life for me. That’s what I want?” Nobody would look at the cross and say, “That’s a badge of honor. That’s the way of peace. That’s the way to blessing.” Nobody would look at the cross with peace and comfort. And yet, despite the fact that the crucifixion would only make people shudder, the early Christians adopted the cross as their emblem.

John Stott, a great old commentator, puts it this way. “The fact that a cross became the Christian symbol and that Christians stubbornly refused to discard it, in spite of ridicule, can only have one explanation. It means that the centrality of the cross originated with Jesus himself. His followers clung to it out of loyalty to him.”

The only answer to that historical question, “What would have ever possessed Christians to choose the cross as their emblem and say, ‘This is the life I want,” is Jesus’ explanation of the crucifixion. In a final meal, Jesus explained how the cross was a transforming reality. He explained the cross while dining with people who later betrayed, denied, and fled from Him in his most painful moments. As Jesus dines with men who could be called enemies, as he institutes the Last Supper, Jesus reveals why the cross represents the life we want.

Matthew 26:17-35

Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’ ” And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.

When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. 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.” Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.”

Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.

SCRIPTURAL ANALYSIS

It’s odd to call this the Last Supper. In many ways, it’s the first supper, the first of millions and millions of these suppers. In the Last Supper, which was a Passover meal, Jesus Christ explains the meaning of his death in the clearest possible way. In the Last Supper, we learn that Jesus gives us some of the clearest teachings on what the cross means and why his death matters.

VERSES 17-25

Now begins the first day of the Passover, also known as the Feast of Unleavened Bread, because nothing with yeast could be eaten or even left in the homes of faithful Jews. We have not actually begun the Passover day itself, which started Thursday at sundown. Technically, the Passover was a one-day feast, while the Feast of Unleavened Bread evolved from a seven- to an eight-day-long festival beginning the day before Passover. These two holidays had coalesced.

It was typical for families to celebrate the Passover together, with the head of the household, usually the father or grandfather, presiding over the table. Jesus and the Twelve will thus celebrate the meal like a family. They will need a room in a house spacious enough to accommodate this large group in the middle of a city teeming with other extended families and groups of families looking for similarly spacious lodging. So careful preparation is needed.

After sundown on Thursday, Jesus and his disciples relax to enjoy the Passover meal. We are not to envision Leonardo da Vinci’s famous Renaissance portrait of the Last Supper, one long rectangular table with people sitting on chairs on either side of it, but rather a large U-shaped combination of couches with the attendees reclining.

Jesus interrupts the festivities with a horrible prediction. He has never previously mentioned betrayal, and the topic introduces a painfully awkward note into the conversation, breaking the intimacy of table fellowship. The rest of the Twelve apparently know nothing of the events. By speaking to the issue, Jesus makes it clear that he knows full well what Judas is up to. When the events unfold, Jesus will give in to them willingly, not tricked by any ruse.

VERSES 26-29

Resuming the Passover celebration, the meal itself begins. Jesus opens with prayer and the breaking of bread. An ordinary loaf would be distributed to all. The unleavened bread originally symbolized the haste with which the Israelites departed Egypt. Jesus now invests the bread with new meaning. It foreshadows his body figuratively broken and literally killed in his upcoming death.

Jesus turns from the bread to the cup. It was probably a common cup passed around for all to drink. As they all drink, he proclaims that the cup stands for his blood about to be shed in his death on the cross. The “blood of the covenant” harks back to Exodus 24.

Verse 29 anticipates both Jesus’ departure and his return. He warns the disciples that he will not again drink or eat with them at the Passover celebration, but he looks forward to rejoining them for the messianic banquet.

VERSES 30-35

This episode parallels and contrasts with the prediction of Judas’s betrayal. It shows that Judas was not the only one who seriously failed his master. In fact, all twelve will fall away. They will flee and hide, fearing for their own lives and abandoning Jesus at the time he most needed support.

Peter protests, however, that no matter what the rest do, he will not abandon his master. Peter repudiates Jesus’ notion. He will follow Jesus even to his death if necessary (v. 35). The others also continue to swear their allegiance, but the hours ahead will demonstrate who is right. The disciples do not even come close to fulfilling their promises. Peter will fail the most spectacular of them all by denying he knows Jesus three times.

Peter’s impulsive denial of Jesus is obviously not as treacherous as Judas’s premeditated betrayal, but both show the frailty and propensity of human failure and sin.

TODAY’S KEY TRUTH

Jesus shows grace to both the believer and the skeptic by offering forgiveness and love.

SCRIPTURAL ANALYSIS

Matthew 26:17-35 presents the pivotal moments leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion, highlighting the actions and choices of both Judas Iscariot and Peter. This passage juxtaposes these two disciples, providing a striking exploration of human frailty and the complex ways Jesus’ followers can fail and falter, even with good intentions.

The scene begins with Jesus sharing the Passover meal with His disciples. Jesus prophesies that one of them will betray Him, referring to Judas. Shortly afterward, Jesus also warns Peter that he will deny Him three times before the rooster crows. Both men, Judas and Peter, face Jesus’ foreknowledge of their failures yet respond very differently. After hearing Jesus’ prediction, Judas still proceeds with his plan, prioritizing his personal motivations over loyalty. In contrast, Peter confidently denies any possibility of disloyalty, proclaiming, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” Here lies the first similarity between Judas and Peter: both are overconfident in themselves and their abilities. Today, we still underestimate sin's power and lure while overestimating our strength and abilities.

Both Judas and Peter fail Jesus, yet the nature of their failures differs in form but share the essence of betrayal. Judas actively seeks out an opportunity to hand Jesus over to the authorities for thirty pieces of silver, committing a premeditated act of betrayal. On the other hand, Peter is motivated by fear rather than monetary gain; his three denials are emotional reactions in moments of perceived danger. Both betrayals highlight a universal aspect of human weakness: the vulnerability to prioritize self-interest and fear. Despite their different motivations, both men fall short of the loyalty they promised Jesus, emphasizing that even the most ardent disciples can falter when faced with the storms of life.

Jesus’ response to both Judas and Peter highlights His amazing grace. Knowing Judas’s intentions, Jesus shares the Passover meal with him and washes his feet, symbolizing a gesture of unconditional love. In forewarning Peter of his upcoming denials, Jesus indirectly offers him an opportunity to confront his weakness in advance. These acts of forewarning demonstrate Jesus’ grace, showing that He does not wish these men to fail but desires their redemption. This grace is extended to both men before they commit their acts of betrayal, revealing Jesus' mercy even to those who would harm or deny Him.

The outcomes for Judas and Peter also shed light on the redemptive nature of grace. After his betrayal, Judas is consumed by guilt, leading him to return the silver and ultimately end his own life. Peter, however, weeps bitterly after his denials but later seeks and receives forgiveness and restoration from Jesus. This contrast highlights the transformative power of grace for those who accept it. Judas’ failure to repent fully prevents him from experiencing redemption, while Peter’s remorse opens the door for his later restoration as a leader of the early church. One responded to his failure, accepting God’s grace, while the other was lost in the bottomless hole of self-reliance and self-pity.

Jesus shows grace to both the believer and the skeptic by offering forgiveness and love.

CONCLUSION

Through these interactions, Jesus exemplifies a love that transcends human failures, showing that His grace is available to all, regardless of loyalty or doubt. Jesus is sharing a meal with people we would easily label enemies. Jesus predicts that one of His disciples will betray Him, and moments later, Jesus also predicts that another will deny him. Both instances involve Jesus addressing the failures of two men who followed Him closely. Both behaviors are the behaviors of enemies.

Yet, Jesus does not confront them with anger or condemnation, though He is fully aware of what these men will soon do. Instead, He continues to share a meal with them, a significant act of fellowship and intimacy in ancient culture. He treats them with the same love and respect as the others. Jesus showcases forgiveness that remains available even to someone with malicious intent or cataphoric failure. This grace extends beyond one’s sins, reaching into the heart and allowing even a skeptic to choose redemption.

Judas shows us that even the skeptic is given the opportunity of grace and forgiveness. Peter’s journey demonstrates how believers, despite their commitment, can succumb to fear and sin yet still find grace in Jesus’ love and forgiveness. Jesus reveals a grace that is inclusive and available to all, regardless of a lack of faith or failure. His love and forgiveness reach out to both the believer and the skeptic, demonstrating that grace is not contingent upon one’s past actions or loyalty. Jesus’ offer of grace is based on you, your past, or your failures. His grace is based on His unwavering love for you.

Jesus shows grace to both the believer and the skeptic by offering forgiveness and love.

Jesus’ grace is an open invitation to reconciliation, offering hope to anyone willing to accept His love and forgiveness. The Lord’s Supper explained why the cross is the emblem of our faith. Jesus set the stage for the cross to be the place and symbol of our redemption. The scenes surrounding the Lord’s Supper ultimately show that Jesus’ grace is limitless, providing a path to restoration for all, whether doubting or denying. In this moment, Jesus draws close to His disciples, despite their weaknesses and failures, to reveal the depth of His love for them and you. By sharing the Passover meal, He symbolically offers His body and blood as a sacrifice, an act meant for all people — not just those who remain steadfast. This meal, a precursor to His sacrifice on the cross, underscores that His grace covers the entire broad spectrum of human frailty and sin.

Jesus exemplifies a love that humbles itself, even for those who oppose Him. His willingness to fellowship with those who would betray or deny Him displays profound and radical grace, extending beyond societal expectations of forgiveness. Jesus was more than any other religious leader the world has ever seen. His offer of grace and forgiveness is unmatched.

Jesus shows grace to both the believer and the skeptic by offering forgiveness and love.

Matthew 26:17-35 draws parallels between Judas and Peter, illustrating that betrayal and denial come in varied forms but are met with the same grace from Jesus. Their differing responses to failure — one in despair and the other in repentance — reflect the enduring choice offered by Jesus: to accept His grace and seek restoration, or to reject it, remaining in isolation for eternity. Both the believer and the skeptic are offered the same grace, the same forgiveness, and the same choice.

Jesus’ grace is an open invitation to reconciliation, offering hope to anyone willing to accept His love and forgiveness. The scenes surrounding the Lord’s Supper ultimately show that Jesus’ grace is limitless, providing a path to restoration for all, whether you’re doubting, denying, or defeated.

Jesus’ offer of grace isn’t a response to perfection but an invitation to a relationship despite your imperfection. His offer extends beyond the failures of His disciples or His skeptics. Jesus’ grace is infused into the lives of all who turn to Him, making His grace a universal refuge for anyone seeking redemption. Scripture says that while we were still enemies, Jesus died for us. The failures and sins of both the believer and the skeptic are offered the same forgiveness and love through God’s grace.

Jesus shows grace to both the believer and the skeptic by offering forgiveness and love.