What a great passage this was to read and focus on, but like Wes and others have said, a very familiar one as well. The problem with familiar is that we begin to lose sight of the details and look at the passage as a big concept like “The Last Supper.” I took this as an opportunity to take the advice of Pastor Greg and S-L-O-W down. I looked at the context, author’s intent, background, key words and genre. I have to tell you that really does make a difference. I also prayed and expected to hear from God.
This passage was written by Luke, a Gentile physician who traveled extensively with Paul, around 60 A.D. Luke wrote this Gospel after talking with several eyewitnesses of Jesus’ life, almost like a journalist. He gave dates and times, and provided the only account of Jesus’ childhood years. What I focus on is the fact that he was a Gentile. It reminds me that God uses anyone from any background. Anyway, on to the Scripture.
There is so much to talk about concerning this passage of Scripture that I’m almost speechless. I feel like it’s something we could talk about for quite awhile... like I can’t cover everything in this space here. Loosely broken down, it’s about Judas betraying Jesus, the last supper, Jesus predicting Peter’s denial of Him, and Jesus’ prayer on the Mount of Olives. But for me, I get caught up in a couple of things. I am struck by the fact that as a religious feast approaches, the minds of the high priests and religious scholars were on treachery. When Judas comes with his ideas of betraying Jesus they can’t believe their good luck. It’s really something how messed up we can get in our thinking; it's not so important how much religious knowledge we have or whether we perform all the correct religious behaviors. We can still engage in evil and be as far from God as ever.
Take Judas. To me, his story is heartbreaking. When you think about it, he was one of the 12 disciples. He was so close to Jesus, involved in His ministry, and privy to intimacy with Him and the other disciples. Would anyone ever imagine that this would be the guy who would betray Him for a bit of cash? What breaks my heart is that as soon as Judas betrays Jesus, he is aware of how wrong this was, is consumed with guilt, wants to give the money back [to which the priests say “buzz off.”], and he ends up killing himself. What a sad and terrible scenario.
Peter struggled also. He couldn’t imagine that he would deny Jesus. I’m sure he thought Jesus was just mistaken when he told him to “stay on his toes.” He was dedicated, loved Jesus, and was so bold from Him. Yet very shortly he was doing the very thing he thought he’d never do. How many times have I had my mind set that I wouldn’t do a certain thing one day and by the next day, I’ve done it? I think there is a warning here. Satan is always around trying to influence us, mess with our head, and lead us to believe things that are contrary to what Jesus has said. Unless we rely on Him and stay in relationship with him [pray, read His word, and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit] we are going to fall… and sometimes fall hard. More than once in this passage, Jesus admonishes his disciples to “pray that you don’t give in to temptation.” Later He tells them “What business do you have sleeping? Get up. Pray so you won't give in to temptation.”
I am also struck by what is said in verse 37: “It is written: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment." This is a reference to Isaiah 53:12 which says “Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” Wow! What has been said about Jesus is reaching its fulfillment!! What a cataclysmic, wonderful, incredible, amazing time. I mean like freak out! God is doing something so intensely, hugely BIG that will forever change things. THE CROSS. Jesus is going to pour himself out for us. It’s hard, really, to convey the level of excitement and gratitude that I have about this. Words just don’t do it.
There are so many things the Cross of Christ means for us that it is difficult to express all that is felt. Our sin debt is paid, we are given eternal life, we are brought into relationship with God, a new covenant is established, sin is overcome, death is overcome, stripes were taken on His back for our healing, we have in intercessor advocating on our behalf, and we receive power through the Holy Spirit. Everything written about Jesus is coming to a conclusion. Amazingly, this is a gift. We only have to receive it. How incredible is that?
The life of Jesus is something He lives through us, powered by the Holy Spirit. We don’t have to do it on our own. In fact, we can’t. When you think about Judas and Peter, you realize the spiritual forces as work and see that overcoming sin is not accomplished through willpower alone. It is clear; we can have every determination and invoke our will, only to fail a minute later. No, looking to the cross is the only answer. Through Jesus and His work on the cross, we have victory over sin and death. That’s why knowing Him, staying intimate with Him, and understanding what His word says is the only way to maintain your faith in what Jesus accomplished on the cross. Thank God, thank God, thank God! So when we take communion, let’s remember EVERYTHING that we have through the cross and Christ’s finished work upon it. Glory to God!
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