PASSOVER WITH THE KING

April 10

Lesson 6

(NIV) PASSOVER WITH THE KING

DEVOTIONAL READING: Matthew 26:17–30

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Matthew 26:17–30 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.

I. Readying the Passover

(MATTHEW 26:17–19

A. Preparations

(v. 17) 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?”

Jewish tradition made Jerusalem the ideal destination for passover celebrations. The number of pilgrims arriving to celebrate Passover in Jerusalem in Jesus’ time likely exceeded 85,000, or several thousand more Jews than lived in Jerusalem. In this severely overcrowded environment, finding a room in which to observe the meal could be difficult. Because of the long journey, pilgrims had taken to purchasing sacrificial animals in Jerusalem instead of traveling with the beasts. This was not considered problematic problematic until the merchants moved inside the temple, making the prayerful space into a commercial market (see Matthew 21:12–13). Jesus did not own a house or livestock (8:20), so his disciples would have purchased a lamb. The Festival of Unleavened Bread lasted a full week immediately following the night of the Passover meal (Deuteronomy 16:1–8). Baking bread with yeast was a slow process. A piece of dough was set aside and allowed to rise; before the next meal, the leavened dough was worked into a new batch of dough so that it too would rise. The speed of unleavened bread’s preparation reminded Jews of the haste of the flight from Egypt (Exodus 12:39).

What Do You Think? How do you prepare yourself to eat the Lord’s Supper?

the way that we do in our church is the way i prepare to eat the lords supper, how about y'all? and the way we do is with disc that is made of unleavened bread ( bread that has no yeast. and with the fruit of the vine grape juice

Digging Deeper How does your preparation honor Jesus? because as often as we do this we do it in remembrance of Jesus til he comes again.

B. Instructions

(vv. 18–19)

18–19. 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.’ ”

So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. The city refers to Jerusalem. Jesus and his disciples approached from the neighboring village of Bethany (see lesson 5 commentary on Matthew 21:1a). It seems that Jesus had made arrangements with a certain man before the festival was upon them. Mark and Luke specify that the disciples were meant to find a man carrying “a jar of water” (Mark 14:13; Luke 22:10). Fetching water was typically woman’s work, so his carrying the pitcher would make the man easy to spot. Jesus was called Teacher throughout the Gospel of Matthew (8:19; 12:38; 22:16; etc.). In the mouths of those who respected him, the term acknowledged Jesus’ wise teaching. Others called him this with sneering contempt. In either case, the term was appropriate of Jesus, but any speaker using it didn’t necessarily have a full understanding of Jesus or his ministry and mission. A form of the word here translated time echoes Judas’s search for an “opportunity [appropriate time] to hand [Jesus] over” (Matthew 26:16). The Greek word is not uncommon. uncommon. Still, the linguistic echo hints that God would use Judas’s betrayal to bring about his purposes in Christ. Mark 14:13 tells us that Jesus sent two disciples. Luke 22:8 reveals that they were Peter and John.

What Do You Think? How does your congregation honor believers who serve behind the scenes? we try and recognize them during our services like the Wallaces what they do behind the scenes is worth honoring them for all they do ...

Digging Deeper What does this recognition (or lack thereof) communicate about the importance of many different ways to serve? it should help others to do like wise and try to do for or do out side of the church to help others ....... but in this case there was a man that knew what jesus did and can do so he help Jesus by giving him space in his house for whatever Jesus wanted would you do the same thing>???????

II. The Passover Plot

(MATTHEW 26:20–25)

A. Fellowship (v. 20)

20. When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve.

Judas already had agreed to the contract on Jesus’ life (Matthew 26:14–16), but none of the other disciples knew that. Therefore, when evening came for them to share the Passover, it was easy for Judas to join as one of the Twelve with his plan undetected. In Jesus’ time, the seating for special meals like this involved reclining on low couches. Participants leaned on the left elbow with their heads toward the table and their feet away from it, and they would eat with their right hands.

well we do the same thing when we are done eating we want to recline in our easy chairs and chill watch tv or read a book..... and form me latley its been reading this great book. and watching TV i do both what do you do?

B. Betrayal

(vv. 21–25)

21. And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”

Prophets introduced what they heard from the Lord with “this is what the Lord says” and close variations (examples: Joshua 7:13; Isaiah 28:16; Zechariah 8:2), while apostles often grounded similar statements with “it is written” (examples: Acts 1:20; 13:33; 15:13–18). Jesus did not appeal to any authority but his own whenever he said truly I tell you (examples: Matthew 5:18, 26; 6:2, 5, 16). In this subtle difference, Jesus asserted his place as God’s Messiah, not just a prophet or teacher. After Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Son of God, the Lord had begun to reveal that he would be rejected by the Jewish leaders, suffer, and be killed (Matthew 16:21; Luke 9:22).

This is the first time, however, that they had heard him say one of you will betray me.

how would you all feel if someone told you that you will betray me or in others words be a Snitch or a stool pigeon .

22. They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?”

Jesus’ comments hit the group with maximum force. They were extremely distressed. They never dreamed that the cancer of betrayal could infiltrate their group. Judas conducted his charade so flawlessly that no one suspected him. Out of emotional anguish and with personal urgency, each asked, Surely you don’t mean me, Lord? Judas had already arranged to betray Jesus (Matthew 26:14–16), but none of the other disciples suspected him. Each man trusted the others, so the only place to look was inward. Each one wondered if some fatal character flaw would be exposed to his own shame and disgrace. Still, each one worded the question with the expectation that Jesus would answer in the negative.

they were really worried because they thought that something along the way would lead them astray and have them to be a traitor but could not figure it out they didnt know that it would be soo soon . but the one that was going to betray him knew He already knew.

23. Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me.

As with many cultures still today, the custom was for food to be shared by everyone out of large serving dishes rather than individual place settings. The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me could refer to anyone in the room, for all of them were sharing in that activity during the evening meal. In Matthew’s telling, Jesus did not narrow down the list of suspects (contrast John 13:26–28). This emphasized a sentiment expressed by the psalmist’s lament, “Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me” (Psalm 41:9). Jesus knew that the betrayal would indeed come from within their group.

see how jesus confused them because they all diped into the water but john verson was a little different but either way they still all diped one way or another do we do that also try to confuse when we know who was doing something but did not want everybody in the room knopw who you were talking about????????

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.”

The phrase Son of Man evokes Jesus’ connection with fragile humans as well as with Daniel’s prophesied messianic figure. This one received authority and glory from God, and all nations worship him forever (Daniel 7:13–14). In using the title of himself, Jesus chose a phrase that was known but did not have the expectations of king or messiah. Thus the phrase was more enigmatic en·ig·mat·ic

[ˌenəɡˈmadik]

ADJECTIVE enigmatic (adjective) difficult to interpret or understand; mysterious: "he took the money with an enigmatic smile"

, not something that people immediately associated with earthly rule or authority. Jesus acknowledged his willing intent to fulfill God’s plan as it is written about him in the Old Testament (example: Isaiah 53). He never dodged the work of giving his life to pay sin’s price for our eternal salvation. But Jesus sternly warned that his betrayer would not be allowed to dodge the consequences of his rebellion either. (See also Acts 1:15–20.) In the terrible judgment he would face, Judas could not argue, “I wasn’t warned!” Jesus lamented Judas’s choice and the loss of his beloved friend.

What Do You Think? What scriptural warnings do you find difficult to remember or obey? ( Luke 6:37 )i have a problem with like i said i consider myself a porf driver so i tend to judge the way others drive.

Digging Deeper In what situations would remembering these warnings change your actions? because what you do will come back on you!!!!!!!!!!

25. Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said so.”

Judas addressed Jesus with the same form of question as the other disciples, except that he used the title Rabbi rather than Lord (see Matthew 26:22, above). While this was an honorary title for exceptional teachers of the law (23:7–8), when applied to Jesus it missed the heart of his identity. Judas is the only disciple in the Gospel of Matthew to refer to Jesus this way (see also 26:49). Judas may have believed that Jesus was a wise teacher, but there is no record that he confessed Jesus as Lord. Judas maintained his charade of loyalty to the very end. Knowing full well that he was the one, he still asked, Surely you don’t mean me? In true prophetic fashion, Jesus threw off the cover to reveal Judas’s wicked betrayal. If Judas thought he had

successfully hidden his evil work, he found out what he should have known all along: nothing can be hidden from the Lord. But the Lord’s reply fell on deaf ears. Although Jesus made it clear to Judas that he knew about the nefarious plan, Judas would betray him anyway. The chief priests and elders had previously planned to wait until after the weeklong feast in order to avoid any riots (Matthew 26:5). Perhaps Judas, feeling exposed, accelerated his plans to betray Jesus that very night (26:45–47).

What Do You Think?

Who knows you well enough to point out your spiritual blind spots that can become sinful action?i the only one i can think of is God because God knows all and sees all !!!!

Digging Deeper What heart changes are required for you to better heed your wise friend’s warnings? like i have saying through all of my bible studys that God can touch your heart to do whats right !

DINNER PARTY What ingredients are required for a dinner party? Although many items could be included—background music, table linens and silverware, lighting, flower arrangements, and so on—only two things are really necessary: food and people. And a successful dinner party combines good food and great company. Imagine your ideal dinner party. Who is around your table? What food do you prepare to share with them? Your group might mirror mine, with best friends who have stuck by your side in the hills and the valleys. We might both include family, spiritual mentors, friends of friends, out-of-town visitors, and so on. Christ’s final dinner party included those who walked with him and learned from him. The success of the party was in question, though, once Jesus revealed that he would be betrayed. And yet we celebrate this meal and remember him. How might Judas’s presence at Jesus’ last supper cause you to reevaluate who a dinner party should include? —L. P.

III. Passover and the Kingdom

(MATTHEW 26:26–30)

A. Bread and Body (v. 26)

26a. While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it

Traditionally in the Passover meal, God was blessed (gave thanks to) as the one who delivered Israel from Egypt and provided their bread. The original Greek is less clear about whether Jesus blessed the bread or the Father here. (A similar issue comes up in Matthew 14:19.) Giving thanks for the meal comes closer to later Christian practice of blessing the bread and the fruit of the vine in their own Lord’s Supper remembrances (example: 1 Corinthians 10:16). 26b. and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” The Passover meal was infused with symbolic significance. Eating the bread called for the explicit reminder of God’s deliverance. This encouraged feelings of continuity with ancestors—with Jewish participants’ knowing that they were part of that same people God had saved. Jesus didn’t do away with that ancient symbolism. He magnified and expanded it, bringing God’s salvation to fulfillment. The broken bread took on new significance as the body of Christ, a new symbol of God’s miraculous salvation to be remembered and shared by the community of believers. Though the disciples apparently obeyed Jesus, this symbolism would lead to horrifying rumors in the Roman world that Christians were cannibals.

B. Cup and Blood (vv. 27–29)

27a. Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, It’s unclear which cup of four drunk at Passover Jesus referred to here. The regulations regarding these cups are found in the Mishnah, an ancient rabbinic text that was finalized around AD 200. Each cup is associated with promises God made in Exodus 6:6–7: “I will bring you out … I will free you from being slaves to [the Egyptians] … I will redeem you … I will take you as my own people.” The third cup (associated with “I will redeem you”) was typically a benediction. Jesus likely offered his own thanks in place of a more traditional blessing with the third. The “cup of thanksgiving” named in 1 Corinthians 10:16 further suggests that the third cup is in view.

27b–28. he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. The blood of the Passover lamb had protected the Israelites from God’s final plague (Exodus 12:13), and blood was later sprinkled on the people as they entered a new relationship with God (24:5–8). However, nowhere was it suggested that the people should drink the blood; quite the contrary, this practice was explicitly forbidden for any animal (Leviticus 17:10–14). The command to drink from it, all of you intensified the jarring symbolism of eating Jesus’ body (compare Matthew 20:22–28).

While symbolism of being covered in the blood of the Lamb persists, ingesting the blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins speaks to an inner change, not only an outer show (compare Isaiah 53:11–12; Romans 5:15). This may remind the reader of God’s promise to “remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 11:19; compare 36:26)—a promise of spiritual renewal, which is fulfilled through faith in Christ. The covenant in Exodus required obedience to God and strict loyalty to him alone (Exodus 20:1–6), which the Israelites proved unable to do. The prophesied new covenant would be different from the one their ancestors entered into at Sinai (see Jeremiah 31:31–34). This new covenant was enacted by the shedding of Jesus’ blood.

Aren’t you glad that all of this is just a symbolism because we all know that there is no eating of blood in the Bible even from the beginning…………. But as oftenas e do this we do in remembrance of him/.?

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.”

The fourth Passover cup traditionally looked forward to the coming kingdom, which differed greatly from earthly kingdoms (consider descriptions from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5–7 regarding his Father’s kingdom ethics). Jesus either abstained from the final cup or declared that this was his last time drinking it … for now. In doing so he declared by word and deed that the Father’s kingdom was coming, and Jesus would celebrate in that kingdom with the disciples. This was in keeping with various depictions of God’s kingdom being or centering around a feast (examples: Isaiah 24:23; 25:6–8; Matthew 22:1–14; Luke 13:29; Revelation 19:7–9).

What Do You Think? What memories of Christ do you focus on when eating the Lord’s Supper? All of the great things he did while he was here the healing the following the miracles . Digging Deeper What promises come to mind as you anticipate drinking the cup with Jesus? Hi last part when he said i will not drink from the fruit of the vine until we celebrate in Gods Kingdom when that time comes………

REMEMBER AND DO

As a young child I knew I could count on Grandpa Ray. He taught me what love is by demonstrating the importance of building and keeping trust, acting humbly, and caring deeply for others. One day we were downtown together. Grandpa Ray saw a man curled up across the street. This man seemed very distressed. I remember vividly my grandpa going out of his way to get this man some food and pray with him. Grandpa stated afterward, “The best way to remember Christ’s love for us is to be Christ’s love for others.” To this day, Grandpa Ray’s words call me to demonstrate that I remember Jesus’ love for me through my service to others in obedience to him. When we participate in the Lord’s Supper, we remember Jesus’ sacrifice for us. But we also look forward to sharing the cup with Jesus. Our lives must reflect this expectation. How does your daily life demonstrate your memory of Jesus’ work and your hope in his promises? —L. P.

C. Closing Song (v. 30)

30. When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. The Passover meal ended with singing, traditionally from the Hallel, Psalms 113–118. These songs extol the Lord as the one true God of all the nations, among other praises. The Mount of Olives lay to the east of Jerusalem. Its elevation gave an excellent view of the city, including the temple. It was here, specifically at Gethsemane, that Jesus would be betrayed and his disciples scattered (Matthew 26:36, 47–56, not in our printed text); he then faced the trials that sent him to his death on the cross (26:57–68; 27:11–26). That was one thing to do is sang songs of praise to our God . Because we sing because we are happy.we sing because we are free you know like kirk franklyn said…… but the other thing they was go to the mount of olives which is in Gethamine where he would. Be. Betrayed its like kind being in on death row walking to that execution room. But our Kesus wore our strips for all of us and went up on that cross on a Friday bleed and died but this infamous wor but got up on that third day with Al power in him given from above. This is what we are al waiting to see him. In all his glory . For he is good ….

Conclusion

A. The Lord’s Supper

Jesus knew that his whole life pointed to a final Passover that would be an act of ultimate obedience. He would be preparing himself to fulfill his mission as the perfect Passover Lamb (see John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7; Revelation 5:12; 13:8). His life was given in sacrifice for the sins of humanity, washing us clean in his blood so that our sins are forgiven, never to be brought against us. One last Passover with his closest friends would mark the beginning of a new Lord’s Supper that galvanizes Christian worship to this day. Themes of remembrance and thanksgiving have united Christians worldwide for nearly 2,000 years in a practice that honors our crucified Lord. All Christians are given opportunity to remember God’s miraculous salvation—with a new ceremonial meal shared by a new family. We participate together, knowing that we are part of a body in a new covenant with God, forgiven of sins through the body and blood of Jesus. What the prophets dreamed of is the life that we today have been given in Christ. At the same time, we long for the ultimate coming of the Father’s kingdom when we will sit at the table with Jesus himself. We live in anticipation of this joy. Every bite of bread or sip of the fruit of the vine connects us to the past, present, and future of God’s story.

B. Prayer

Father, thank you for sending Jesus as our perfect sacrificial Lamb and for inviting us to your table. Let the anticipation of sharing the feast with Jesus guide us daily. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

C. Thought to Remember

The Lord’s Supper reminds us that we are part of God’s past, present, and future story.