Matthew 26:17-25

Matthew 26:17-25

Our passage begins, “Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread…” The yearly Passover festival began on the first month, fourteenth day of the Jewish year. This festival had two parts, which is the reason it is referred to as the Passover feast as well as the feast of Unleavened Bread. The “Passover” signified a remembrance of when God “passed over” the houses of the Israelites on the night that He killed the firstborn of all the Egyptians. The “Unleavened Bread” part of the feast reminded Israel of God’s power so that they were thrust out of the land of Egypt so quickly that they did not have time to leaven their bread.

Now notice in verse 18 that Jesus connects the observance of the Passover to “My time is at hand.” In 1 Corinthians 5:7, Paul tells us that Jesus is our Passover Lamb. John the Baptizer introduced Jesus as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Therefore, the fact that Jesus was crucified on Passover is significant because it signals to Israel the coming of the “second deliverer” who would do more than free them from physical bondage.

The discussion Jesus initiates concerning His betrayer is an intriguing part of this meal. John’s account gives the most information. We know that John, the apostle, was on the right of Jesus and reclining on Him. Judas was at Jesus’ left. When Jesus said that one of them would betray Him, each of the apostles asked if they were the one. Jesus stated that it would be the one to whom He gave a piece of bread after dipping in. Judas asked if he was the one. Jesus then dipped the bread and handed it to him and agreed that he was the one.

When I think about this scene, it is hard for me to imagine that Judas did not break down in sorrow and repentance over his plan. Jesus had obviously given him an opportunity to recognize his sin and back out. Only a hardened, calloused individual would go ahead with a plan after being identified by the one he would betray.

Most importantly, this text shows that Jesus is well aware of what Judas is doing and of His upcoming death. His “time had come” and He would not avoid it. It was for that very time that He had come into the world.

Berry Kercheville