[:en]Judas Betrayed Jesus (vs. 1-6)
The Passover festival was an important event in the history of Israel. All Jewish males over the age of 23 were required to go to Jerusalem and participate in the Passover festival which was followed by a 7-day celebration called the Festival of Unleavened Bread. The Passover was a commemoration of Jew’s exodus from Egypt and their deliverance for bondage of slavery. The Feast of the Unleavened Bread recalled the Israelites quick escape from Egypt when they did not have time to let their bread rise. So they baked without yeast.
Satan entered Judas and he went to the chief priest and officers of the temple guards to discuss with them how he might betray Jesus. They agreed to give Judas money to hand Jesus to them.
The Last Supper (vs. 7-38)
Jesus wanted the Last S
upper to be celebrated on the Passover day to associate with the killing of a lamb and His death on the cross. The blood of the lamb painted on their door frames saved their firstborn son from death. The blood of Jesus spilled on the cross saved the people from the penalty of sin.
Jesus took the bread and cup, gave thanks and partook with the disciples. He wanted them to remember his sacrifice and told them to do this in remembrance of Him.
As we partake the Holy Communion, let us remember that Jesus Christ gave His body and blood to save and redeem us from eternal death. Let us confess our sins, appreciate His love and look forward to the future with hope. May we keep the unity of the church with the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph. 4:3)
A dispute began when the disciples were arguing as to which of them was considered to be the greatest. Jesus told them that to be the greatest, they must be like the youngest and the one who rules must be the one to serve.
Among Christians, the leader is to be the one who serves. Whether you are serving through preaching, administering or relationship, every Christian leader needs to have a servant’s heart.
When Peter told Jesus that he was ready to go with Him to prison and to death, Jesus answered : “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me” (v. 35) But Jesus assured Peter that though he would falter in his faith, he would become a powerful leader in the future.
Jesus Prays in the Mount of Olives (vs. 39-45)
Jesus told the disciples to pray so that they will not fall into temptation (temptation to run away or to deny their relationship with him). Jesus himself went to pray in extreme agony, but he still followed His mission to save mankind. After he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow.
When it comes to devotion to Christ or service to Him, will you be acting as if you are sound asleep? Don’t be insensitive or unprepared for God’s work.
Jesus Arrested (vs. 47-53)
Kiss was the traditional greetings among men in the early times. Judas used kiss to betray Jesus.
How about us? Have we betrayed Christ with our insincere acts of service which were carried out just for show?
One of the disciples struck the servant of the high priest cutting off his right ear. But Jesus rebuked him and healed the man’s ear. This was the last miracle that He performed before he died.
Lessons from His last miracle:
- Show compassion even to those who are against you
- Forgive your enemies and do not take revenge
- Believe in the healing power of God
Peter Disowned Jesus (vs. 54-62)
Peter denied Jesus three times, but he wept bitterly because he realized that he failed as a disciple and as a friend. However, his experience had changed him from a halfhearted follower to a repentant disciple. Christ used him to assume leadership of the church.
We may have also disowned Jesus when we failed on our walk with Him. Do not be discouraged because God is still going to use us if we come to realize our weakness and turn back to Him.
The Guards Mock Jesus (vs. 63-35)
The guards blindfolded Jesus, mocked, beat and insulted Jesus.
Have you in one way or other dishonor Him?
Jesus Before Pilate & Herod (vs. 66-71)
When Jesus confirmed that He is the Son of God before Pilate and Herod, they used it to charge him the sin of blasphemy.[:]