SCRIPTURE: LUKE 22
JUDAS AGREES TO BETRAY JESUS (vs. 1-6)
When Passover was approaching, (also called Feast of Unleavened Bread), the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus. Then Satan entered Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve. Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.
THE LAST SUPPER (vs. 7-38)
Jesus told Peter and John to make preparations to eat the Passover. He said: “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. follow him to the house that he enters and say to the owner of the house. “The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat this Passover with my disciples?” He will show you a large upper room, all furnished. Make preparations there.” (v. 10-12)
They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” (v. 15). After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”: (v. 17). And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you, do this in remembrance of me.” (v. 19). In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “:This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with me on the table. the Son of Man will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays him.” (vs. 19-23). They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.
A dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, our greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.(vs. 25-30)
Jesus said: “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (v. 32) but he replied, “Lord I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”: (v. 33). Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.” (v. 34)
Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without a purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” (v. 35). They answered, “Nothing” (vs. 35). Jesus said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. It is written,” And he was numbered with the transgressors, and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.” (vs. 36-37). The disciples showed Jesus the two swords.
JESUS PRAYS ON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES (vs. 39-46)
Jesus went out to the Mount of Olives and the disciples followed him. On reaching the place, Jesus told them to pray so that they will not fall into temptations. And He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father if you are willing, take this cup from me, yet not my will, but yours be done” (v. 42) An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. Being in anguish, Jesus prayed more earnestly and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. He asked: “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation”
JESUS ARRESTED (vs. 47-53)
Judas Iscariot was leading a crowd to Jesus. He approached to kiss Jesus, but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” (v. 44). When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they asked Jesus if they should strike them with their swords. And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus said, :No more of this!’; And he touched the man’s ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard and the elders, “Am I leading a rebellion that you have come with swords and clubs? Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me,. But this is your hour – when darkness reigns.” (vs. 52-53)
PETER DISOWNS JESUS (vs. 54-62)
They seized Jesus, led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him,” (v. 56). But he denied saying, “Woman, I don’t know him”. A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them”. Peter replied, “Man, I am not!” Peter replied. (v. 58). About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.” (v. 59). Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about!” (v.
60). Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” (v. 61). and he went outside and wept bitterly.
THE GUARDS MOCK JESUS (vs. 63-65)
The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and bearing him. They blindfolded him and demanded, “Prophesy! Who hit you?” And they said many other insulting things to him.
JESUS BEFORE PILATE AND HEROD (vs. 66-71)
At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and teachers of the law, met together with Jesus. They said: Tell us if you are Christ.” (v. 67)_. Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe me. And If I asked you, you would not answer. But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.” (vs. 68-69). they all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied, “You are right in saying I am” (v. 70). Then they said, “Why do you need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips” (v. 71)
THOUGHTS:
In his greed for money, Judas was energized by Satan to make an agreement with the religious leaders to betray him with a kiss. Judas ended up committing suicide. It is dangerous to make a deal with Satan.
The Last Supper is celebrated by today’s Christian as the Communion Service. It is in memory of Christ’s sacrifice. The bread symbolizes His body and the wine symbolizes His blood. His death brought about forgiveness of our sins and points to the coming of his Kingdom in glory.
The disciples were arguing about their prestige in the Kingdom. The wrapped up in their own concerns without perceiving what Jesus had been telling them about his approaching death and resurrection. What are your concerns today? Get your eyes off yourself and get ready for Christ’s second coming.
Satan wanted to crush Simon Peter. But Jesus assured Peter that his faith, although would falter but it would not be destroyed. It would be renewed and Peter would become a powerful leader.
Peter and Judas were both disciples of Jesus. Peter denied Jesus while Judas betrayed Jesus. But Peter repented and received a commission to feed Jesus’ lambs. But Judas did not repent and committed suicide.
Here, Jesus reversed his earlier advice regarding how to travel. The disciples were to bring bags, money and swords. They would be facing hatred and persecution and would need to be prepared.
Jesus asked the disciples to pray that they would not fall into temptation because he knew that he would soon be leaving them. Jesus also knew that they would need extra strength to face the temptations ahead. Prayer is essential in Christian life. Without communicating with the Lord, we won’t have enough strength to overcome trials and temptations.
When Jesus prayed: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me, yet not my will but yours be done.”, he was expressing his true feelings to God. He revealed his dread of the coming trials, but he also reaffirmed his commitment to do what God wanted. The cup meant the terrible agony he had to endure and the total separation from God. When you pray, do you totally follow God’s will even if it is of your disadvantage?
A kiss was the traditional greeting during their time. But Judas used it as a means of betrayal. When our acts of service are insincere or carried out merely for show, we are betraying Christ.
The religious leaders did not arrest Jesus in the Temple. Instead, they came secretly at night, under the influence of Satan, who is the power of darkness. No wonder, most illegitimate crimes were committed in darkness.
Peter had said that he would never deny Christ despite Jesus;’ prediction. But when frightened, he went against all he had boldly promised. As a disciple and friend, he failed to stand up for Jesus. However, when he realized that he had denied his Lord, he wept bitterly. We need to be aware of our own breaking points and not become over confident or self-sufficient. If we fail Him, remember that Christ can use those who recognize their failure.
Jesus confirmed that he was the Son of God in the presence of Pilate and Herod. The Jewish leaders had the evidence that Jesus had committed the sin of blasphemy which is punishable by death. But Jesus was fulfilling his mission of salvation.