History is strewn with people whose lives were left in shambles because they chose to oppose God. History is strewn with people whose lives were left in shambles because, though they glibly claimed to “believe in God,” they actually followed Satan by choosing to live a life of sin and rebellion against God.
On Thursday of that week things took an interesting twist. Judas Iscariot had plotted with the chief priests to betray Jesus (Matt. 26:14-16). Everything was already set in motion by the time Jesus and His disciples entered the upper room and prepared to eat the Passover meal together (vs. 17-20). Good and evil were about to collide in historic proportions. Everything about this week points to the cross and the cross represents the triumph of good over evil.
Even before Judas plotted his evil deed with the chief priests, Jesus prepared His disciples for the work He was about to accomplish in Jerusalem. He was headed to the cross (Matt. 26:2).
Early on Thursday morning, Jesus gave specific instructions to His disciples concerning where they should make ready for Him to eat the Passover meal (vs. 17-19). They were to “go into the city” and find “a certain man.” From the other two synoptic gospels we learn that the man would be carrying a pitcher of water (Mark 14:13; Luke 22:10). That would have set him apart noticeably, because it was highly unusual for a man to do that kind of work.
When they found him, they were to “say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand; I am to keep the Passover at your house with My disciples”’” (Matt. 26:18). In the phrase, “My time is at hand,” “time” is not the Greek word which refers to a general space or succession of time, but rather the word which refers to a specific and often predetermined period or moment of time.
Jesus’ “time” was also, of course, the Father’s time, the divinely appointed time when the Son would offer Himself as the sacrifice for the sins of the world. It is time for good and evil to clash in the battle of all battles and for good to triumph over evil, bringing you salvation.
Early on Thursday morning, Jesus gave specific instructions to His disciples concerning where they should make ready for Him to eat the Passover meal (vs. 17-19). They were to “go into the city” and find “a certain man.” From the other two synoptic gospels we learn that the man would be carrying a pitcher of water (Mark 14:13; Luke 22:10). That would have set him apart noticeably, because it was highly unusual for a man to do that kind of work.
When they found him, they were to “say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand; I am to keep the Passover at your house with My disciples”’” (Matt. 26:18). In the phrase, “My time is at hand,” “time” is not the Greek word which refers to a general space or succession of time, but rather the word which refers to a specific and often predetermined period or moment of time.
Jesus’ “time” was also, of course, the Father’s time, the divinely appointed time when the Son would offer Himself as the sacrifice for the sins of the world. It is time for good and evil to clash in the battle of all battles and for good to triumph over evil, bringing you salvation.
Until now that monumental time had not come and could not have come because Jesus‘ work on earth had not yet been finished. But at this particular Passover it could not fail to come, because it was divinely ordained and fixed. That last Passover supper would set in motion the final, irreversible countdown, as it were, for the crucifixion.
Imagine that day at the cross and what the disciples must have been going through. The things they must have thought! The Lord Jesus hanging on the cross, dying. The fear of being arrested and perhaps even crucified themselves. Peter denied Him three times (Matt. 26:69-75). The others scattered and fled (Mark 14:27). Only John (John 19:26-27) and some of the women (Matt. 27:55) remained near the cross.
The disciples likely thought about the events of the week: the joyous entry into Jerusalem, clearing the temple of the money changers, all the teaching, and then the Passover celebration and sharing in the first Lord’s Supper.
Oh, the Lord’s Supper! That is where the trouble all began. Jesus said someone would betray Him; they did. He said He would be crucified; He was. If they only knew what was coming first thing Sunday morning! What they did know was that Jesus said, “One of you will betray me” (Matt 26:21). Taken by surprise, they all thought, “Surely, not!” Yet each disciple searched his heart and one by one they all asked, “Lord, is it I” (v. 22).
But Judas! He was surprised too, surprised that Jesus knew! He pretended to be pious like the others and asked, "Rabbi, is it I?" "Rabbi," not "Lord?" He simply did not believe. To him Jesus' response was pure and simple, "You have said it" (v. 25).
A question has been posed over and over again throughout the ages: Who killed Jesus? Was it the Jews? Was it the Romans? Certainly they were all involved. But when I think about this, I have to ask one question: "Lord, is it I?" And the Lord would have to answer, "Yes, it is you." Not because I oppose God; I do not. And not because I give assent to His claims while not really believing; I do believe! It is because of my sin. Jesus died because of my sin!
Each of you must ask the same question, "Lord, is it I." And to each of you Jesus would answer, just as he did me, "Yes, it is you." It was because of your sin that Jesus died on the cross. He died in your place, for your forgiveness. He died to give you eternal life through faith in Him. Trust Him and you will have life in His name. Amen.
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