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 to keep 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 disciples. 21 As they were eating, He said, “Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me.” 22 Being deeply grieved, they each one began to say to Him, “Surely 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 to go, just as it is written of 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 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 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 new with you 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.