Surely not I, Rabbi?

Surely not I, Rabbi?

Scripture:

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?” 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.’” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.

When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?”

Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me.  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.” Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said so.”

Matthew 26:17-25

Observation:

It is the time of the Passover, a solemn festival for Jewish folk, who remember with gratitude the great exodus from Egypt, when God pronounced judgment on all the firstborn of the Egyptians while sparing all the Israelites, who proceeded to move from being a nation of slaves to inheriting a country of their own. Unknown to the Jews at that time, the Passover was also symbolic of the great sacrifice to come, which would see the Son of God Himself sacrificed as the offering that would bring salvation to mankind.

Arrangements are made for Jesus to celebrate the Passover with His disciples and a gracious host provides the place for them. No mention is made of the host of the premises or his name, but one thing for sure, is that the presence and holiness of the last Passover would linger on in his property, and how wondrous it must been for him to know he owned the site of such a sacred event.

The disciples are enjoying fellowship with the Lord, reclining at the Passover table as is customary when He suddenly declares “truly I tell you, one of you will betray me” Great sadness came upon them, and one by one, the disciples ask Jesus “surely not I, Lord?” The disciples cannot conceive how any of them could betray the Lord, all except Judas, who also pretentiously asks “Surely not me, Teacher?” Perhaps as a final warning to Judas, the Lord declares that although He would certainly suffer and die as prophesied in the Scriptures, how terrible it would be for the one who betrayed Him, so much so, that it would be better if he had not been born.

Application:

Little did the host who let Jesus use his premises know that such a sacred event was about to happen there. He was simply gracious and generous to the Lord and His disciples. In time to come, he would have told awe-struck family and friends, the Lord Jesus Himself and His disciples had the last Passover right here, in my own home. Many Christians who visit the holy land speak of feeling a deep presence of the Lord, knowing that they were standing where the Lord lived and preached and healed more than 2000 years ago. How much more blessed then to actually live and dine where the first holy communion actually took place.

Just like the host, we would do well to cultivate a generous and hospitable spirit towards others. Who knows what blessings we may miss simply by being selfish or unwilling to share?

During the Passover, a heavy weight fell upon the atmosphere when the disciples realized that one of their very own would betray the Lord. The betrayal of a close friend is a terrible thing. Many have fallen away and never recovered from such a betrayal. This was one of the sufferings that the Lord was given to face. He truly suffered just as we suffer. We know that He understands how we feel.

Did Judas have a chance to deny his role as the Traitor of the ages? Was he destined to be Traitor from birth? Or could it have been any one of the twelve disciples? Was it his fault to be born to fulfill such a destiny? There are many questions we cannot answer and the secret things belong to the Lord. However, we know that the Lord warned him, and Judas was given a fair chance although the Lord already knew he would not turn from his terrible destiny. The lesson of Judas is this – do not be so set in a way bent on error that we cannot stop and turn back. As long as we have breath, there is still hope! Stop and turn back! God is gracious and merciful. Remember the prodigal son! Whilst we have breath, there is no level so low that we cannot turn back and receive forgiveness

Prayer:

Praise You, Heavenly Father, for the greatness of Thy name. You hold all things in Your hands, Lord. Nothing happens apart from Your will. Teach me I pray O Lord to be a gracious and generous host like the host who prepared the Last Passover for You so long ago. How blessed he was to be involved in such a holy event.

We thank You, Lord, that You came to earth to behold and experience all that humans go through. We thank You, Lord, that You suffered more physical and emotional and spiritual pain than anyone, more humiliation than anyone, more strain than anyone. Yet, in spite of it all, You remained sinless, You remained pure. Therefore You are able to be our Great High Priest who knows our weaknesses and deepest needs.                                                                     

O Lord, some of us, like Judas are set on a path of error. Open up a way, we pray, enable us to turn back, to come back to what is right, like the prodigal son did. We bless You and praise You, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.