Matthew 26:7 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” 18 He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. 20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21 And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” 22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?” 23 Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” 25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said so.” 26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” 27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the[b] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” 30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
The Passover had come and Jesus and the disciples were celebrating it together with bread and wine. As an observant Jew, Jesus had celebrated 32 Passovers; now he was celebrating the last Passover he would see as a man. Jesus knew his time was short. Jesus also knew that Judas had already done a deal with the religious rulers. All during Jesus’ ministry, Judas had been the treasurer; however, he also had been systematically stealing. What a sad situation! Judas was sent out to preach and to do miracles just like the other disciples. Judas had seen Jesus raise the dead, heal the sick, cast out demons, and heal the blind and lame; yet, none of this moved Judas. Jesus even washed Judas’ feet just as he did for the other disciples.
Jesus knew what would happen that night. Jesus knew that when the Romans came to arrest him, his disciples would desert him. But Jesus also knew that those same disciples would later repent and would become heroes of the faith. The real tragedy was Judas, because Judas betrayed Jesus for the price of the lowest kind of slave. When Jesus gave Judas that piece of bread, even then Judas could have still repented. Judas could have pulled Jesus off into a corner and confessed his betrayal, and Jesus would have forgiven him. Judas could have refused to meet up with the soldiers….but he didn’t.
Judas’ tragedy is our tragedy. So many times God has moved in our lives, and yet we have made excuses, brushed Him off, or even taken credit when all the time it was God who helped us. Now we all are facing the threat of COVID – 19 and many of us are turning to God. But if that threat passes and we survive, will we continue to be faithful or will we give ourselves the credit and turn away from God?
As we consider the events of that Passover night, we must ask ourselves this question: would I do any better than Judas?
PRAYER: Father God, please forgive us! So many times we have promised to follow you, only to draw back. Lord, forgive us. Give us faithful hearts so that we will follow you, no matter how difficult things may be. Thank you for sending Jesus to die for our sins. Lord, forgive us! Lord, save us! In the mighty Name of Jesus. Amen.
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