CHAPTER 22

1 Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.
2 And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.
3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.
5 And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.
6 And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.

It was nearing time for the "Passover." (The feast of "the lamb," remembering the "first born" lamb offered for each family just before the "angel of death" came in Egypt. It was this feast which commemorated their deliverance from slavery, and thus looked forward to the time when God would deliver man from the slavery of sin.)

Jesus knew this feast would be His death!
For HE was "the Lamb of God!"
He was the acceptable sacrifice for man's sins.
He was the payment which delivered man out of sin into the salvation of a just God.
He was the "atonement" which put away God's anger from those who would surrender to Jesus as Lord.

The "chief priests and scribes" are generally considered to be the "council."
The "council" was made up of 72 judges, and the Chief Priest was the president.
To me, this means that the leading teachers of The Word of God, had misconstrued it so much for their own personal gain, that they failed to see that Jesus was GOD!

"Then entered Satan into Judas..."
The Greek word from which "entered" comes is eiserchomai, pronounced (ice-er'-khom-ahee), and is identified as meaning: to enter, arise, come in.
The same word is used in John 13:27, "And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly."

I try not to become "theological," however there are times we must put theology to proper use.
Theologically, it is impossible for a believer to be "entered" by Satan.
For, when a person is saved, he/she is "sealed" by God's Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13).
Therefore, there is no opportunity for a believer to actually be "possessed" by any evil spirit, including Satan.

Judas believed that Jesus was the "Christ" (Messiah)! Else, he would not have followed Him and taken His direction and guidance for 3 and 1/2 years! But Judas had a "dream" of what Christ should BE! He wanted Christ to be the Person of God on a great white horse, coming and taking over the world, then giving it over to the Jews to rule. That was his perception of WHO Christ should be. And THAT was what he determined to promote!

In context, let us consider another usage of this word "entered."
In Mark 14:38 the primary form of the word (erchomai) is used and translated "enter."
"Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak."

Thus, we might say that the only way the devil has influence over the Christian is when we ALLOW tempation to "enter" us!
NOTE: The devil never tempts us with something contrary to our nature.
We ARE all sinners! He only uses our nature by opening the door of temptation, and sometimes we ALLOW it by "entering!"
The next time the devil knocks on your door, send Jesus to answer it!
Remember, YOU are "weak," but Christ is STRONG!

Judas (vs 4-5) "communed" with the council and agreed to betray Christ for "thirty pieces of silver." (Matt. 26:15)
How many have "communed" with the devil and betrayed Christ for: alcohol, drugs, gambling, or sexual immorality?

Since the "council" was afraid of the "multitude" (because MOST people believed in Jesus), they convinced Judas to betray Jesus AWAY from the "multitude."
Isn't that where MOST sin is committed...AWAY from where people will notice?

7 Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.
8 And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.
9 And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare?
10 And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in.
11 And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?
12 And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.
13 And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

Now this would be Thursday of the week in which Jesus made the "Trimphant Entry" into Jerusalem. The reason I say that is that the 14th of Nissan happened on Friday. But the Jewish preparation for that day began at 6PM the evening before. The 14th of Nissan, being Passover, was also a SABBATH. In order not to break that Sabbath (holy day), Jewish people began preparation for it the evening before the date. (See Exodus 12:6).

For instance, Luke says, in Chapter 22:7, "Then came the days of unleavened bread, when Passover must be killed." That refers to the fact that the Jewish people observed the beginning of the "feast of unleavened bread" on the evening of the 14th of Nissan, when the Paschal Lamb was killed.

MONDAY - Jesus entered Jerusalem, cleansed the temple, complying with Exodus 12:3.
TUESDAY - entered Jerusalem again, that evening taught Matt. 24&25.
WEDNESDAY - stated that "after two days is the Passover..."
THURSDAY - disciples went to prepare Passover Supper.
THURSDAY EVENING - Jesus ate His "last supper" with the disciples...but NOT the Passover Supper!

Now, some are going to disagree with the timing presented here. That's ok. Every student of the Bible, believing in Christ and under the guidance of His Holy Spirit, is entitled to his/her own understanding.

Another point to consider is that Luke says Jesus told Peter & John to go and prepare the Passover supper (See Luke 22:7-12). Then they asked Jesus where the Passover supper should be PREPARED...NOT where it should be EATEN! Matthew says (Matthew 26:20) that Jesus came to that place where they had prepared and ate supper with them. It is NOT said this was the Passover supper. Jesus was always in PERFECT obedience to the Scriptures, else He would not have been an appropriately holy sacrifice for our sins. Therefore, He did NOT eat the Passover supper early, He did not eat it AT ALL! He simply ate His "last supper" with the disciples on Thursday evening - BEFORE the 14th of Nissan. In all of the 4 gospels it is never said that Jesus ate the Passover supper. The Scripture simply states that He ate SUPPER. ((Matthew 26:18-21, Mark 14:12-18, LUke 22:7-14, John 13:1-4)

The disciples "made ready" that supper, but Jesus never had the opportunity to eat the Paschal lamb that year: He WAS the Paschal Lamb that year!!

14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:
16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

May I repeat: The disciples "made ready" that supper, but Jesus never had the opportunity to eat the Paschal lamb that year: He WAS the Paschal Lamb that year!!
If the disciples had "made ready" the passover supper, on Thursday evening the lamb for that supper would not have been ready until FRIDAY! Jesus was crucified on Friday.

Therefore, though this was certainly no ordinary supper, it was not the Passover supper.

Jesus used this last supper with His disciples to prepare them for what was to come.
That very night, He would be betrayed, arrested, and tried in an illegal trial.
(No trial by the "council" was to take place at night!)
The next day, Jesus would be handed over to be crucified!
He was preparing them for His SUFFERING!

Throughout the centuries since Christ's crucifiction, this has come to be known as "The Lord's Supper." It was His last meal with the disciples. And Jesus used it to portray what would be happening the next day. He would become "the Bread of life." He would become the "blood sacrifice" in which a NEW TESTAMENT (or COVENANT) would be formed by God with men.

The bread symbolized Christ's body which was ripped and torn by malicious beatings. If His body were not maliciously treated, He would not have fulfilled the Scriptures. (See for instance Psalm 22, Isaiah 53:5).

His "body" was offered from God to God on behalf of sinners. His was substitionary atonement. He vicariously took the punishment we deserved in order that HE might be the One Who can forgive sin and offer us salvation.

The wine represented Jesus' blood. That blood is the PRICE for sin. The "blood" is life. And life is required of man for sin (See Genesis 9:4-5). The book of Hebrews says, "..almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission." (Heb 9:22) And Hebrews also says, "...by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us." (Heb 9:12)

Jesus' blood was innocent blood because He had no sin. Through His vicarious offering of Himself, God made Him "...to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Cor 5:21)

Payment was required for all sin. Jesus MADE that payment! When we come to God, surrendering to Christ as our Lord and Savior, God applies that blood to our lives!

This is God's NEW TESTAMENT (COVENANT) with mankind: that "Whosoever" comes to Christ in surrender, shall be "free from the law of sin and death" and shall be given in its place "the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus" (Rom 8:2)

21 But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
22 And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!
23 And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.

Matthew was a little more informative about this event.
Matthew 26:
21 And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?
23 And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.
24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.
25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.

Luke shows that the disciples all fell into a discussion about "WHO" should betray Jesus. It must have been an incredible thought!

However, the discussion soon turned to a new topic.

24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.

The subject of "WHO" should betray Jesus was changed to who had, or would, do the MOST for Him!
My dear Christian friends, may I say that NONE of us do any MORE than any other!!
For we all work as we are led by God's Holy Spirit (except when we deny His authority over our spirit). ((See Philippians 2:13))

Now, it is true, God's Holy Spirit leads some Christians into consuming more time and energy than others. But He leads us according to the "several ability" HE HIMSELF has given us. ((See Matthew 25:15 ))

AND, we must remember "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required:" (Luke 12:48)

Obviously Jesus heard the discussion, and took the opportunity to explain something to them.

25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.
28 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.
29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;
30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

We are NOT to be like the world!
The BEST of us should be the most servicial!

Jesus was there serving them!
He even took off His robe, and WASHED THEIR FEET!! ((See John 13:5 ))

If we "continue" with Christ through all the "tempations" of the world, then we shall receive what HE has prepared for us. Whatever that is, let us be GRATEFUL!
NEVER let us be BOASTFUL!

Jesus FURTHER illustrated this with a tremendous example!

31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.
34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

Peter was the spokesman of the group.
Probably, he was the largest; and, perhaps, the strongest.
Certainly, his faith had been proven. ((See Matthew 16:13-19 ))

Yet, Peter would DENY having KNOWN Jesus THREE times before the night was over!!

NONE of us Christians deserve to be greater than any other; because, we have ALL DENIED Jesus for a morsel of bread, or silver!

Eph 4:1-3
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Remember to be humble in all your relationships with others!

35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.

In Luke 10:1-16 Jesus had sent them out. At that time he told them NOT to carry purse, scrip or even an extra pair of sandals.

And ALL was provided for them! They lacked "nothing!"

But now, Jesus will be crucified.
It was "written" that He would be counted among "transgressors" ((See Isaiah 53:12 )).

Now, they will no longer be a part of His temporary earthly ministry.
Now, they (and us) will be a part of His ongoing, continued ministry.
They (and we) would be going into "all the world" spreading the gospel.
They (and we)would be met with monetary difficulties, as well as with theives and robbers!
They must be PREPARED!

Do you prepare your LIFE according to your MINISTRY?
Or, are you allowing life to dictate your ministry?

38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

Jesus would not allow the "sword" to be used in protection of Him against those who would kill Him because of Who He was. ((See Luke 22:50-51 ))

Jesus' statement here was not referring to His meeting with the guards in Gethsemane, which would happen later that night.
His statement was referring to AFTER He was crucified; when the disciples would CONTINUE the ministry in this world.

But they took Jesus' statement about "swords" literally.
They showed Him they could produce two swords (as if that would help).

Then, Jesus' statement "It is enough" must mean "The discussion is ended!"
They would SEE, firsthand, that two swords would not be enough against the "multitude" which came to take Jesus away.
LATER, they would understand that Jesus' meaning was of future times.

39 And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.
40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,
46 And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

None can explain what happened when God Incarnate came to "dwell among us!"
But one thing we DO understand: Jesus took on flesh, and His Spirit OVERRULED EVERY temptation! INCLUDING the temptation to escape indescribable torture and death!

Even HE needed PRAYER!!

It was His DESIRE to go pray at "the mount of olives" where there was serenity.
He did not HAVE TO die for mankind!!
It was His "passion!"

Therefore, "Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame,..." (Heb. 12:2).

Only God can forgive sin!
Only God can determine, of His OWN accord, to accept our apology for our sins against Him!
And, to do that, He must pay the PRICE!
He must PUT AWAY the sin, and agree not to bring it up again!
HE, and HE ALONE, can ATONE, or pay the appropriate price.
Only God can reconcile us to Himself by EXPIATING our sin -- putting an END to it!

If there were SOME OTHER way (vs 42 above)?!
But there was NO OTHER way! God must pay God the price of our forgiveness!
There was NO OTHER "acceptable" sacrifice!!
JESUS is that ONE and ONLY sacrifice!!

At this particular time, Jesus was not the ONLY One facing temptation.
The disciples, even though they may not have known it, were facing temptation too.
And, Jesus said, "Pray that ye enter not into temptation."
Hadn't Judas already done that?

Yet, when He returned to the disciples, Jesus found them SLEEPING! Not PRAYING!

OH! How often we FAIL to pray ernestly!
And, how often do we do HARM to someone else because of our FAILURE to PRAY!?!

47 And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.
48 But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?
49 When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?
50 And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.
51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.

The "kiss" is a hug, with perhaps a kiss on the cheek.
The "kiss" exhibits friendship with no intention to harm!
Yet, Judas used the "kiss" to BETRAY and IDENTIFY Jesus as the One the guards and council sought to kill!

Now, the disciples succombed to temptation.
One of them, Peter, took a sword and chopped off a man's ear!
But Jesus put a stop to that action!
He "touched" and "healed" the man's ear!!
Here was a sinner who came to DESTROY Him, yet Jesus HEALED him!
Can one explain that kind of love?

See how easily Christians betray Christ with the familiar acts of friendship!
We attend church, and become involved in the inner workings of the Kingdom of God.
But we FAIL so miserably in going into the streets to proclaim Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords to our family, neighbors and friends!
Are we not using the sign of friendship and yet betraying Him Who died for us?>Br?

Do we come to the church to take direction from Christ?
Are we there to pray, worship, study and learn so that we can OBEY Him?
Judas became a disciple for those reasons. But then Judas determined no longer to take direction from Christ. Instead he would deliverChrist!

Judas wanted what so many of his day wanted. They wanted Christ to be the Messiah Who came, took over the world, and then gave it into the hands of them to rule. And Judas, perhaps felt that by forcing Christ's hand, he could MAKE Jesus do what Judas wanted!

So many feel the same way today. Jesus has come as Savior they say. Then let Him be Savior!
Let Him, by His means of His Holy Spirit inspire them to come.
For instance, there's a cute little story about a church in the woods, some miles from town.
A new pastor was called, and only one elderly deacon showed up for the service.
The deacon had come early. He had opened the door and turned on the lights and started a fire in the heater.
The pastor inquired, "Deacon, do you think we might pray and then go out and visit others asking them to come and join us in worship of our Lord?"
The deacon answered, "Sir, we have opened the door, turned on the lights, and built the fire. If they wanna come, they'll come. If not, let 'em be."

Let us not betray our Lord by being part of His "inner circle" and not doing His will!!

52 Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?
53 When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

They had many opportunities to take Jesus.
But they "feared the multitude"!
They wanted to do EVIL, and not be in SIGHT of the people!

They wanted to conduct a "trial" of Jesus by NIGHT! Under the cover of darkness, while normal people slept, they performed SIN! Jesus had talked about this once.

19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
John 3:19-21

People try to cover up their sinful deeds.

These people wanted to try and penetrate light with darkness!

54 Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off.
55 And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.
56 But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.
57 And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.
58 And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.
59 And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean.
60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.
61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

They had arrested Jesus, were maliciosly treating Him, and now were going to demand DEATH! Peter was obviously afraid for his life!

He was in the yard by the fire when one of the maids of the high priest made the statement that he had been with Jesus.
He denied it, and moved to the porch.
He was on the porch when the cock crew the first time, and then another maid (or maybe the same one) again said he was with Jesus.
He denied it again.
Then, some others who stood around, said Peter's "speech" showed he had been with Jesus.
Let me just say, it was not the accent of a Galilean they were talking about. It was his MANNER of speaking: kindness, gentleness, clean.
Peter recognized what they were saying, and immediately began to utilize slang words and deny being with Jesus AGAIN!
THEN, the rooster crowed the SECOND time!!

Then, Peter "called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, 'Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice!'"

Peter, the strong-hearted, bullish fisherman was BROKEN!!
He suddenly realized how the values of life and living create conflict with the values of being a true servant of Jesus!

Peter did not WANT to be maligned, ill-spoken of, or slandered by malicious gossip. And of course, he didn't want to DIE!

How many have maintained silence, instead of openly professing Christ, when they faced being called "goody two shoes," "do gooder," or some other denegrating name? Well, it is sure that if any have done so, and really KNEW Christ, they felt the SAME THING PETER FELT! GUILTINESS! CONVICTION!!

It should cause us, as it did Peter, to BITTERLY WEEP.
And it should cause us to go to Him in prayer, begging His forgiveness!

63 And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him.
64 And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?
65 And many other things blasphemously spake they against him.
66 And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying,
67 Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe:
68 And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go.
69 Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.
70 Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.
71 And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.

I believe, as Christians, we should be REMINDED of Jesus' suffering BEFORE He went to the cross.
This group of men mocked Jesus being called "the King of Jews."
They mocked Him being called "Messiah!"
They mocked Him being called "Savior!"
They mocked Him being called "the Son of God!"

Then, they "smote" Him!
He Who could take their life with a Word, was stricken by mere men!

Then, they blindfolded Him, struck Him some more, and demanded He "prophesy" and tell who it was that struck Him.

That was not all!
The Bible says they "sought FALSE witnesses" to testify against Him ((See Matthew 26:59 )).
The Bible also says they "spat upon Him" ((See Matthew 26:67 )).

He was maliciously treated all during the night!

Finally, Jesus was asked, "Art thou then the Son of God?"
To this He answered, "Ye SAY that I am."
By their very actions they were fulfilling Scripture of Messiah!!

For "He is despised and rejected of men" (Is. 53:3).
"He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth." (Isa 53:7)

YES! Jesus is Messiah!
YES! Jesus is God incarnate!
YES! Jesus is the ONLY Savior!
YES! Jesus is King of kings!
YES! Jesus is Lord of lords!
and, YES! Jesus is "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).

Claim Him.
Or, deny Him.
He STILL loves you enough to die for you!

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.