Last Supper and Betrayal of Christ, DCLM Adults Search
Study 63
In our previous lesson 62, we looked at ”the Parable of the Ten Virgins and the Talent”. Today, to we considering ”Last Supper and Betrayal of Christ”.
MEMORY VERSE: “The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It had been good for that man if he had not been born” (Matthew 26:24).
TEXTS: Matthew 26:1-30,36-68; Mark 14:1-26,32-65; Luke 22:1-30,35-53,63-71.
The consummation of Christ’s mission on earth was approaching. The past three and half years of His life had been spent going about His Father’s business of preaching, teaching, and healing everywhere. As the twilight of His life on earth loomed, He told His disciples: “Ye know that after two days is the feast of the Passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified” (Matthew 26:2). Jesus knew what was to befall Him, and He was prepared. Our texts outline the major events leading to Christ’s betrayal and trial before the chief priests and council of elders. First, there was a conspiracy to kill Him. Second, He was anointed with very precious ointment which He claimed was done against His burial. Third, He held the last Passover with His disciples and instituted the Lord’s Supper. Fourth, He resorted to Gethsemane with three of His disciples to pray in preparation for His passion. Fifth, Judas Iscariot betrayed Him unto the chief priests and elders, and His trial and travail began.
CONSPIRACY AGAINST CHRIST AND TRIBUTE TO MARY .
Matthew 26:1-16; Mark 14:1-11; Luke 22:1-1:3; John 11:45-53; Psalms 2:1-4; 56:6; 83:5)
“Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him” (Matthew 26:3,4). The conspiracy to arrest and crucify the Lord was devised by the religious council of His day. Principal members in this evil plot were the chief priests – former high priests or principal men of the priesthood; scribes – copiers and custodians of the law; and the elders – civil magistrates. The council members comprised both ecclesiastical and laymen so that the decision taken could have broad acceptance. The place of the meeting was different – palace of the high priest instead of the usual ‘chamber in the temple’ used by the Sanhedrin. The reason for this is probably to ensure secrecy given the sensitiveness of the matter since they were to take Christ by subtlety. Moreover, they feared that their plot could generate uproar among the people. All this happened in fulfilment of the Scriptures. “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed…” (Psalm 2:2). Everything that happened to Him had the approval of heaven. In like manner, the Lord knows about everything that happens to a believer; He prevents some and allows others. As part of His concluding assignments, the Lord was in the house of one Simon, then “There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat” (Matthew 26:7). The pouring of the ointment on Christ’s head has double application. First, it is emblematic of His being anointed with the oil of gladness above His fellows (Psalm 45:7; Hebrews 1:9). It is like the one poured on Aaron’s head that ran down his beard and skirt of his garment (Psalm 133:2) to signify the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. It is also indicative of the gifts and graces of the Spirit of God t’ it Him without measure. Second, the Lord saidth. was done in preparation for His burial. In old time, it was customary for the people to anoint and embalm bodies for the sepulchre and Christ was preparing to die for the sins of the world. “While the king sitteth at his table, mv spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof’ (Song of Solomon 1:12). The reaction of the disciples to the act of kindness by this woman was shocking. They felt it was a waste of resources, but the Lord paid tribute to her work which He said shall be a reference point for sacrificial giving, love for Christ, acts of kindness, surrendering all and giving the best to the Master. After all, nothing is too much to be given to God who has freely given us all things; we should be ready to give willingly and cheerfully. The conspirators found a willing instrument in Judas Iscariot “…And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time, he sought opportunity to betray him” (Matthew 26:15,16). Although there was prophecy that someone would betray Christ, there is no reason it should be Judas Iscariot. The fruit of covetousness pushed him into it. Believers should be wary of the “deceitfulness of riches” (Matthew 13:22) and keep themselves in the love of God.
CELEBRATION OF THE LAST PASSOVER AND INSTITUTION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER.
Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:7-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-27; 10:16.
The Lord celebrated the Passover with His disciples. This event was the last before He went to the Cross and marked the institution of the Lord’s Supper. “Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the Passover?” (Matthew 26:17). Passover was a feast of the Jews celebrated each year to commemorate their providential escape from the land of Egypt. It was the night the angel of death visited every household in Egypt except the community of Jews in Goshen. It was a token of the separation the Lord promised to make between those who serve Him and those who do not (Exodus 11:7; Malachi 3:8). The Lord foretells four events at the last Passover, which He had with the disciples. He spoke of His betrayal, the Lord s Supper, His denial and scattering of the disciples, and His meeting in Galilee after the resurrection. The first elicited questions among the disciples were, “Lord, is it I?” (Matthew 26:22). Though Judas Iscariot was told of his plan, he did nothing to repent; the reward of unrighteousness blinded his eyes (2 Peter 2:13): Many walks away unconcerned after a heart-searching sermon instead of repenting and making right their ways. They hear the Word but do nothing about it like a man who beheld his dirty appearance in the mirror but failed to clean up (James 1:23,24). Second, the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper was instituted. In obedience to the command of the Father, Jesus observed the Passover feast with His disciples. “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body” (Matthew 26:26). The Lord’s Supper is a rite of Christian worship instituted by our Lord at the eve of His atoning death. It is meant to be celebrated “often” to remind the body of Christ of the intense suffering of Christ by the ‘breaking’ of His body on the Cross. Two, it is to enhance fellowship and bonding among the followers of Christ (Psalm 133:1). Three, it reminds us of the efficacy of the blood shed for the remission of our sins. Emblems for the conduct of the Lord’s Supper are unleavened bread and fruit of the vine (1 Corinthians 11:23-25). These are emblems that signify the body and the blood of Christ. Jesus spoke also of His betrayal and meeting in Galilee (Matthew 26:31,32).
CHRIST’S PRAYER, BETRAYAL AND TRIAL THE COUNCIL
Matthew 26:36-68; Mark 14:30; ”2:40-55,63-71; John 18:3-13,19-24.
The Lord resorted to Gethsemane with three of H. disciples to pray in preparation for what was ahead Gethsemane was a familiar spot for the Lord because He often went there for prayer and meditation (John 18:2). His mien in this place mirrored the agony of His heart. “Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me” (Matthew 26:38). At this time, the Lord was overwhelmed with the thought of going to the Cross and needed help from heaven to bear it. By this example, He teaches us that we need divine support to do the will of God and prevail over the challenges of life. Prayer should be a regular resort of Christians to unburden our hearts before the Lord. The nature and content of Christ’s prayer give us insight into an acceptable pattern in prayer. “And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, 0 my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matthew 26:39). One, it teaches us that the will of God is paramount when we kneel before Him in prayer. God’s will tower above every other thing even in heaven (Matthew 6:10). Two, there is total submission to do the father’s will (Philippians 2:8). Three times the Lord repeated the same words of submission arid surrender to God’s will (verses 39,42,44). Sometimes, believers ask for something repeatedly without receiving answers because they fail to find out whether it is according to the will of God. Three, He warned the disciples against spiritual sleep and slumber, and commanded them to watch and pray. After the prayer and satisfied that He had prayed through, Christ beckoned on the disciples: “Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me” (Matthew 26:46). Judas Iscariot betrayed Him to the chief priests and elders with a kiss. In the ensuing atmosphere of arrest, Peter drew his sword and removed the ear of one of the servants of the high priest; but Christ cautioned him and healed the man. If He wanted to be defended, He would have asked help of heaven. “But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled” (Matthew 26:56). Then the council sought false witnesses against Jesus but found no cause to condemn and crucify Him. In spite of all that rose up falsely with accusations, Christ remained silent and answered nothing. But to the question of whether or not He is the Son of God, “Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven” (Matthew 26:64). This statement was counted as blasphemy and forthwith, He was condemned to death (Matthew 26:66). In all, we learn, as Christians, that our lives must be above reproach. Even if our adversaries bring railing accusations, there should be no ground to convict or find us wanting. A life void of accusations is what we are called to live (Philippians 2:15; 1 Peter 3:14,17; 2:19,20). Two, in matters of life and death, Christ prayed to do the Father’s will. We should be ready to do the will of God always. Three, Christ never forgot to do good even in the face of injustice and false accusation (Luke 22:51). Four, He did not defend Himself but committed all judgment into the hands of the Father (1 Peter 2:22,23). Five, we should learn to be calm and hold our peace in the face of wrong accusations and respond only when necessary (Proverbs 21:23). Six, we should believe that our fate is in God’s hands and He will order it to fulfil His best purpose. Seven, God will always be glorified in whatever He permits to come our way.
Questions for review:
1. What are the salient lessons from all the events in our passage?
2. Why should we give our best to God?
3. What does it mean to betray Christ today?
4. Why is it important to celebrate the Lord’s Supper?
5. What precautions should be of the Lord’s Supper?
6. What is the place of prayer times?
7. Identify salient lessons from during His trial.
taken in the observance in trying and troublous the conduct of our Lord.
You can read this article in French here.
