Adventures through the Holy Bible - Week of September 29
God Knows…When Somebody Lets Me Down – Part 1
Imagine you’ve thoughtfully written a special poem for your sister’s birthday. When she opens the envelope, she tosses the card aside without reading your note. What do you do? Let’s look at a Bible story to see how Jesus reacted when His friends let Him down on the last evening He would have with them. In less than 24 hours He would be put to death.
Supper Time
The Passover season was usually a time of joy and celebration. In the evening a traditional meal was served—roasted lamb, bread without yeast, bitter herbs, and sweet grape juice. The Passover had begun the night the Israelites left Egypt and reminded them of their deliverance from Egypt and the future deliverance they would get from the promised Messiah.
As the disciples gathered with Jesus around the table, Jesus saw jealousy and a fighting sprit on their faces. They clung to their dream that Christ was about to take over as King on earth. Each wanted first place in this kingdom.
Another argument was over who should do the washing—not of dishes but of feet! Customarily, a servant washed the dusty feet of guests. A pitcher of water, a basin, and a towel were ready. But no servant had come. Without a word, Jesus got up, wrapped a towel around His waist, and began to wash His disciples’ feet. His disciples would never forget this example of service.
They would also never forget the meal that followed. Jesus took the Passover bread, blessed it, broke it, and give it to the disciples, “Take, eat,” He said, “this is My body.” Then He took a cup of grape juice, gave thanks, and gave that to the disciples, saying “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for man.”
Then Jesus shocked everyone at the table by saying, “One of you is going to betray Me.” A traitor was at the Passover table. Who? “Lord, is it I” they all asked. Judas planned to trade information about Jesus’ whereabouts for money. Not wanting to be different, he also asked, “Master, is it I?” Jesus answered, “You have said it.” Then Jesus whispered to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.”
Judas was alarmed. He might have thought: “Jesus must be the Son of God. He knows about my betrayal! How loving of Jesus to wash my feet, knowing my evil plans. Should I change my plans? No, God wouldn’t wash feet like a servant. Jesus must be a servant tricking people into believing he’s a king. I’ll teach him a lesson, and get 30 pieces of silver for doing it. What a deal!” Judas hurried from the room.
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