17 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.

20 When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve.[ b ] 21 And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?”

23 He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” 25 Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.”

Matthew 26:17-25 (ESV) 中文

Plot in place

Judas has gone to the high priests and put a plot in place to betray Jesus to them. Yes, they would do Jesus harm. But though they thought they would end His influence (and the Devil thought he would ruin God’s plan), they actually were used to support God’s plan. He now continues with the preparation.

Preparation for Passover

The first preparation is to find a place to celebrate the Passover. Jesus arranged this miraculously – as He did the donkey to ride into Jerusalem about a week prior. So the disciples prepared the meal in advance. Passover was (and still is) a special meal. 

“Passover remembers the deliverance of Israel from Egypt, which was the central act of redemption in the Old Testament. Jesus now provided a new center of redemption to be remembered by a new ceremonial meal.” (enduringword.com)

Timing concerns?

There is some debate / discussion about the timing of this event and how it maps to traditional Passover meal timing and food and process for the meal. Some say there’s conflict since there was no Passover Lamb mentioned. We won’t discuss this here other than this quote: “However, it would be wrong to say that there was no Passover lamb at this last supper Jesus had with His disciples; He was the Passover lamb. Paul would later refer to Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us (1 Corinthians 5:7).” (enduringword.com)

Is it me?

Each disciple, in turn, asks if they are the guilty ones. For the 11, they seem to honestly search their souls and their actions to see if by some unknown, unintentional way, they have betrayed their Lord. They had to believe Jesus but couldn’t imagine it.

But Judas waited until the end. When he asked, he was committing deceit since he had already made plans. And he knew Jesus knew so why did he act unaware? Remember, at this time the Devil had entered him (Luke 22:3).

RЯeflection

• Can you imagine the emotions for Jesus? Not only staring death in the face, but to be betrayed by one of His disciples. Talk about adding insult to injury! We’re reminded of Psalm 41:9, “Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.” Do you think Jesus can understand our emotions?