Scripture: 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.” Matthew 26:17-25 ESV
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Observation: Recapping Yesterday’s Daily Focus, Matthew tells us that after the dinner, likely the next day (Wednesday), Judas Iscariot returns to Jerusalem (a two-mile walk from Bethany) and meets with the chief priests to negotiate a finder’s fee of thirty pieces of silver to hand Jesus over to them. And he begins to scheme how best to complete the transaction. The Gospels record no other activity on Wednesday, so many theologians coin this day as “Silent Wednesday.”
Today’s text introduces Jesus’ Passover celebration (seder meal) with his disciples. Providing a time marker, Matthew tells us it is the first day of Unleavened Bread (Thursday). He commands his disciples to go into the city (Jerusalem, implying they are still resting in Bethany), search for a “certain” man, and tell him that Jesus’ time is at hand and he will observe the Passover with his disciples at the man’s house. Luke adds that the man will be carrying a water jar (a distinctive sign given women usually carted such vessels). So his disciples follow these clear but mysterious instructions and prepare the room for Passover.
At sundown, Jesus arrives and reclines at the table with the Twelve. So as the seder meal progresses, Jesus announces that one of them will betray him (knowing it is Judas). Confused and shocked, each of the eleven not-guilty disciples questions Jesus whether he might be the one. So Jesus clarifies it is the one who dips his hand in the dish with Jesus and adds that his betrayal will fulfill the messianic prophecy (referring to Isaiah’s Suffering Servant, chapters 42-53). Moreover, Jesus contends his betrayer would be better off never having been born. So Judas insincerely asks the same question as the others, which Jesus indirectly affirms—not wanting to escalate the tension in the room.
Of note, scholars debate whether Jesus’ “Last supper” with his disciples on this Thursday evening constituted the Passover meal. The synoptic Gospels corroborate it, but John suggests the Jews had not celebrated the Passover meal when chief priests tried Jesus on Friday. The most plausible explanation for this seeming contradiction is that John uses the title Passover to apply to the weeklong series of events, not just the Passover meal. With that in mind, theologian Michael Wilkins provides a helpful flow of Thursday night (NIV Application Commentary: Matthew, p.833):
- Beginning to eat the Passover meal after evening came (Matthew 26:20)
- Dissension among the disciples as to who is the greatest (Luke 22:24)
- Washing the disciples’ feet (John 13:1–20)
- Identifying Judas as the betrayer, after which he leaves (Matthew 26:21–25)
- Institution of the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26–29)
- Messages and prayers in the Upper Room (John 14:1–17:26)
- Walk to Gethsemane (Matthew 26:30)
- Prediction of Peter’s denials (Matthew 26:31–35; cf. Luke 22:31–38)
- Jesus’ prayers in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36–46)
- Betrayal and arrest in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:47–56)
As chapter 26 of Matthew concludes, Jesus’ trial (vv.57-68) and Peter’s denial (vv.69-75) will occur in the early morning hours of Friday.
Takeaway: Interestingly, Matthew juxtaposes the Eleven, who address Jesus as “Lord” (v.22), with Judas, who queries Jesus as “Rabbi” (Teacher, v.25). Moreover, nowhere else in our four Gospels do the authors record that Judas ever called Jesus “Lord.” Undoubtedly, addressing Jesus as Rabbi in this poignant and intimate moment would communicate relational distancing—revealing he had already withdrawn from the relationship intending to betray his Rabbi. In contrast, the eleven others were deeply distressed that they might have somehow betrayed their beloved Lord.
Our takeaway? It is in our human nature to treat those we distrust with a certain air of relational distancing. It is a defense mechanism that can be helpful when communicating with untrustworthy people, but sometimes it is not about the other person; instead, it’s about us. No matter the cause, we often distance ourselves emotionally to protect our egos if we harbor anger, resentment, guilt, or shame. And it is no different with God. When we are angry with our Lord or feel shame, we often withdraw from him by breaking our connection through prayer, Scripture, and the support of other believers. But when we do, we only punish ourselves by prolonging our emotional and spiritual agony.
Consider the Elevens’ response. They have just spent three-plus years investing their hearts and souls with their Lord and thinking they may have somehow betrayed him breaks their hearts. Nevertheless, when others soon threaten their lives, all will abandon Jesus, and Peter will deny him. Still, because they love their Lord, they will reconcile with him and be restored, for this is their only means of reclaiming shalom wellness with the One who died for them. And the same is true for us. Indeed, as we deepen our understanding of the Father and Son’s love and grace for us, we learn that only sincere repentance is required—no matter how badly we screw up. And our Lord yearns that we quickly and confidently draw near his throne of grace to find shalom restoration for our souls (confer Hebrews 4:16).
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son, who prepares a table before us to come and sup with him. We confess, though, that we are not always grateful and sometimes withdraw from you and him when we are angry and hurt. So in your mercy, would you please help us to quickly leave our gifts at the altar and seek reconciliation with both of you and others so that we might find shalom restoration for our souls and strength to carry on with your Son’s commission? Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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