Jesus and his disciples prepared for the Festival of Unleavened Bread by securing a room from a man in the city. At evening time Jesus sat down at the table with his 12 disciples. He told them that someone at the table would betray him. The disciples were distressed and each asked him if that disciple would be the one. "one of you who is eating with me now will betray me. For I, the Son of Man must die as the scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for my betrayer. Far better for him if he had never been born". Then, as they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread and asked God's blessing on it, broke it apart, and gave it to the disciples saying, "Take it and eat it, for this is my body." Then Jesus took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. This he also gave to the disciples saying, "Each of you drink from it, for this is my blood which seals the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out to forgive the sins of many. Then Jesus said that he would not drink wine again "until the day I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom".
Problems:
The biggest problem I see in this passage is the fact that one of Jesus' disciples will betray him to the authorities. But he does say that "I must die" to fulfill the prophesies and scriptures that were "declared long ago". So, if Jesus wasn't betrayed, would the prophecies have been fulfilled? Would the authorities have eventually found him or maybe he would have turned himself in?
Mk 14:12-16; Lk 22:7-13 26:20-24pp -- Mk 14:17-21 26:26-29pp -- Mk 14:22-25; Lk 22:17-20; 1Co 11:23-25
Promises:
Promises apparent in this passage is the "new covenant" between God and His people. Jesus' blood will be poured out to cleanse the sins of many. This is Jesus' and God's promise that we may be able to have a relationship with God regardless of our sinful nature as long as we profess Christ as our savior and repent.
Perils:
Jesus makes it clear that one of his disciples will betray him and that this betrayer will not be in such a good position. Jesus says, "But how terrible it will be for my betrayer. Far better for him if he had never been born". What would've happened if the other disciples had found out who the betrayer was? The other perils I see are those who still refuse to acknowledge what Jesus has done for us and turn their backs on his sacrifice.
Precepts:
The command or precept I find in this passage is the one of obedience. I should recognize the sacrifice that God has made for me and build my relationship with Him. The taking of holy communion is a "remembrance" of this sacrifice and I should partake in this to accept the blood and body of Jesus that was broken and spilled for me.
Applications:
I can apply this message in my life today by recognizing the sacrifice that was made for me and all men. I should be asking myself daily what can I do to be worthy of such a sacrifice, but then I know that all I have to do is repent from sin, build my relationship with God, and give praise and worship to the Great I Am for creating me in His image and making me perfect in His eyes. Thank you Lord and give me the opportunities to glorify you in all that I do today.
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