Matthew 26:17-25 The Last Passover

Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” And He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is near; I am to keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.”’” The disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover. Now when evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples. As they were eating, He said, “Truly I say to you that one of you will betray me.” Being deeply grieved, they each one began to say to Him, “Surely not I, Lord?” And He answered, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the bowl is the one who will betray Me. The Son of Man is to go, just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” And Judas, who was betraying Him, said, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself.”

Without divine knowledge, some of these verses are hard to understand. When Jesus sent the disciples into town to find a colt just where he said it would be, this is a similar situation to Jesus placing a coin in the mouth of a fish and having Peter catch this fish to pay taxes. This would be labeled divine providence. Within the scriptures it is said that any sin committed against the Son of Man will be forgiven him, but the one who sins against the Holy Ghost will not be forgiven in this age, or the age to come. But here Jesus tells Judas that it would have been better for him had he not been born. Remember, Peter denied the Lord, but he was reestablished in ministry. But Judas is not reestablished and kills himself. It was said that Satan came into Judas for this occasion. In some way it would appear that Judas committed the unforgivable sin. This side of heaven, we may never know.

Daily Prayer: Jesus, forgive us our sins, and have us forgive those who trespass against us. Let us not be too bold in declaring what we can do for You, because apart from You, we can do nothing. Instead, let us build our faith in the source of our faith which is found in You.

In Your Holy Name I pray Amen.