In The Word
Read: Matthew 26:17-29
17 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” 18 And He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is near; I am keeping the Passover at your house with My disciples.”’” 19 The disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover.
The Last Passover
20 Now when evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the twelve. 21 And as they were eating, He said, “Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me.”22 Being deeply grieved, they began saying to Him, each one: “Surely it is not I, Lord?”23 And He answered, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the bowl is the one who will betray Me. 24 The Son of Man is going away just as it is written about Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” 25 And Judas, who was betraying Him, said, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” Jesus *said to him, “You have said it yourself.”
The Lord’s Supper Instituted
26 Now while they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 27 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28 for this is My blood of the covenant, which is being poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. 29 But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it with you, new, in My Father’s kingdom.”
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
We read how the Passover was something very special that required planning and preparation. Our Lord needed a special place and chose a certain man’s house. The man had to be willing to open up his home to be used by God. What a great honor this must have been for this man. I wonder how many times this is repeated by our Lord today. How often does He have special plans to minister to others but needs the use of our homes to do it? Are we willing to be inconvenienced, to open up our homes for whatever purpose He may have? It may be a Bible study, a couple needing fellowship, or a poor person needing to be shown the love of God. Whatever the reason, have we prepared our homes to be used by God? Our Lord saw something special about this certain man’s home. What would He see that was special about yours?
We also read about betrayal. Notice that betrayal came from one in fellowship with our Lord. Even when others abandoned Him, when Christ told them that they must eat His flesh and drink His blood, Judas did not. Yet we see him, at this late hour of the life of Christ, betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. I have watched many times people stick with Christ when others didn’t, only to see them betray His ways and His name later in life. Remaining loyal to Christ is a lifetime commitment. Don’t sell Him out, be sold out to Him.
If you have, others may look at what you did as a waste, but our Lord looks at what you did as worship. If you haven’t worshiped God in such a way, ask yourself, “Is He worth it?” When people skim from the tithe, they are acting like Judas. If they are not careful, they will end up betraying Him for the riches of the world instead of receiving the riches of Christ.