Scriptures: Luke 22:1-13; Matthew 26:14-30; Mark 14:17-25
Betrayal and Preparing for the Passover
Luke 21:37-22:1-13
Every day Jesus was teaching in the temple, and every night he would go out and spend the night on the mountain that is called Olivet. (38) All the people came early in the morning to him in the temple to hear him.
Now the feast of unleavened bread, which is called the Passover, was approaching. (2) The chief priests and the scribes sought how they might put him to death, for they feared the people. (3) Satan entered into Judas, who was also called Iscariot, who was counted with the twelve. (4) He went away, and talked with the chief priests and captains about how he might deliver him to them. (5) They were glad, and agreed to give him money. (6) He consented, and sought an opportunity to deliver him to them in the absence of the multitude.
(7) The day of unleavened bread came, on which the Passover must be sacrificed. (8) Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.” (9) They said to him, “Where do you want us to prepare?”
(10) He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered into the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him into the house which he enters. (11) Tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ (12) He will show you a large, furnished upper room. Make preparations there.”
(13) They went, found things as Jesus had told them, and they prepared the Passover.
Matthew 26:14-30
Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests, (15) and said, “What are you willing to give me, that I should deliver him to you?” They weighed out for him thirty pieces of silver. (16) From that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
(17) Now on the first day of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying to him, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?”
(18) He said, “Go into the city to a certain person, and tell him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.”’” (19) The disciples did as Jesus commanded them, and they prepared the Passover.
Now when evening had come, he was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples. 21 As they were eating, he said, “Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me.”
22 They were exceedingly sorrowful, and each began to ask him, “It isn’t me, is it, Lord?”
23 He answered, “He who dipped his hand with me in the dish, the same will betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes, even as it is written of him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born.”
25 Judas, who betrayed him, answered, “It isn’t me, is it, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You said it.”
26 As they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks for it, and broke it. He gave to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.”
27 He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, “All of you drink it, 28 for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins. 29 But I tell you that I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on, until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s Kingdom.”
When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Mark 14:17-25
On the first day of unleavened bread, when they sacrificed the Passover, his disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare that you may eat the Passover?”
(13) He sent two of his disciples, and said to them, “Go into the city, and there you will meet a man carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him, (14) and wherever he enters in, tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ (15) He will himself show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Get ready for us there.”
(16) His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found things as he had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.
When it was evening he came with the twelve. 18 As they sat and were eating, Jesus said, “Most certainly I tell you, one of you will betray me—he who eats with me.”
19 They began to be sorrowful, and to ask him one by one, “Surely not I?” And another said, “Surely not I?”
20 He answered them, “It is one of the twelve, he who dips with me in the dish. 21 For the Son of Man goes, even as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born.”
22 As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had blessed, he broke it, and gave to them, and said, “Take, eat. This is my body.”
23 He took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave to them. They all drank of it. 24 He said to them, “This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 Most certainly I tell you, I will no more drink of the fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it anew in God’s Kingdom.”
TAKE AWAY: “SATAN ENTERED INTO JUDAS.” (Luke 22:3)
What would have caused Satan to enter into Judas? What doorway had Judas opened?
We cannot know the heart of a person, but my guess is greed and a love for money.
Remember in the previous instance where Mary anointed Jesus feet with expensive ointment? It was Judas who said: “Why wasn’t this ointment sold for three hundred denarii, and given to the poor?” (John 12:5)
Then it says: “Now he said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and having the money box, used to steal what was put into it.”
And I guess he was disappointed with Jesus because he didn’t meet up to his expectations of what the Messiah should be like. Surely the Messiah would have come to rescue them from the Roman oppression?
Hence he opened the door for the devil to come.
Remember what Jesus taught about money?
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Mammon.” (Matthew 6:24)
And as Paul said to Timothy:
“But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (1 Timothy 6:9-10)
Oh how careful we need to be! Not matter how much wealth we have – lots or little – we can all fall into the trap of greed and loving money. Those who have lots are tempted to hoard it. Those who have little are tempted to become covetous and want what others have, and some are tempted to feel entitled expecting they should receive handouts.
Don’t hold onto your stuff or want what others have, but instead let’s take a lesson from Paul. He said to Timothy in the previous verses:
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can’t carry anything out. But having food and clothing, we will be content with that.” (1 Timothy 6:6-7)
“Not that I speak because of lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it. I know how to be humbled, and I know also how to abound. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need. I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11-13)
“Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-8)
“My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)