Matt 26:1-29 — The Plot to Kill Jesus, The Lord’s Supper
Matt 26:30-46 — Peter’s Betrayal Foretold, Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
Matt 26:47-75 — Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus, Peter’s Denial
Matt 27:1-26 — Judas Hangs Himself, Jesus Before Pilate
Matt 27:27-56 — The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus
Matt 27:57-66 — The Burial and Tomb of Jesus
Thoughts about serving others
This link includes a list of posts about Serving the Least, the Lost, and the Lonely.
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Let the Word evoke words. May your life encourage lives.
One of the passages that has always grabbed my attention is that of the Last Supper. Here Jesus completely disrupts the traditional Seder meal by changing the plan altogether. I know we don’t celebrate Jewish traditions, but sometimes I think we miss out by not taking a serious look at our ancestors’ practices. Not that we should revert, rather that we could consider the celebrations and focus more on God than ourselves. Look at Matthew 26:26-30, Mark 14:22-26, Luke 22:14-20.
For those of us who grew up in the church, these words are familiar and we probably hardly hear what they have to say. We accept, “Take and eat; this is my body” (Matthew 26:26) and “this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (26:28) as Christ’s words and his new celebration. Both Matthew and Mark record that after these words, they sung a hymn, just as you would do as part of the Seder meal, but Jesus’ words are not part of the tradition. Surely he knew what was supposed to be said, the disciples probably even knew the script, but Jesus changes everything, then they sing a hymn! Jesus’ disciples were probably still trying to process what he said when they are suddenly dealing with the problems in Gethsemane.
Three times Jesus prays, “may this cup be taken from me” (26:39, 42, 44)…”Yet not as I will, but as you will.” In the Seder meal, there are four cups of wine. Three times Jesus prays, but the fourth is his sacrifice. His blood poured out for our sins. His willing sacrifice for our misbehavior. We have but one thing to do: accept Jesus Christ, admit we are sinners and receive forgiveness that waits for us. It’s simple, but hard.