March 4
“They were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to him, ‘Lord, is it I?’” Matthew 26:22.
The text above takes us to the Upper Room where Jesus gathered with His twelve disciples to eat the Passover Meal, during which time He also instituted the Lord’s Supper. By sundown on that Thursday evening, all the sacrificial lambs had been slain, and throughout the city of Jerusalem the Jews were assembled in little groups of ten to twelve to eat the Passover Meal. Originally, the meal was eaten while everyone stood. However, after the Jews had entered the promised land of Canaan, they altered the rule. Servants were required to stand, but the masters of the house reclined while eating. Jesus and His twelve disciples reclined at the table.
As they were eating, Jesus made an astonishing announcement that shocked the twelve: “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me!” “They were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to him, ‘Lord, is it I?’”
Jesus did not immediately identify the guilty one. It was as though He was still calling the guilty one to repentance. One after the other, the disciples asked, “Lord, is it I?” Jesus gave them another little sign: “He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me,” Matthew 26:23. Since all of the disciples dipped their bread in the bowl, evidently they missed recognizing the one of whom Jesus was speaking.
Indeed, Jesus would enter upon His suffering as was revealed in Scripture, but Judas, who would betray Him, was controlled by the devil. Jesus added the words, “It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” The traitor in his ungodly boldness had hardened his heart and joined in the questioning and asked, “Rabbi, is it I?” And Jesus responded, “You have said it!”
Judas left the table. Maybe he still had a few details to work out with those to whom he was going to betray Jesus.
How could one who sat at Jesus’ feet for several years, one who witnessed the mighty miracles that Jesus performed, one who heard His teachings day after day, I repeat, how could such a one deny and betray Jesus? What a horrible thought!
Each of us should take the words of the apostle Paul to heart: “Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it,” 1 Corinthians 10:12-13. Cling to Christ as God’s Son and your Savior who redeemed you with His holy precious blood!
Ashamed of Jesus, that dear Friend, On whom my hopes of heav’n depend?
No; when I blush, be this my shame, That I no more revere His name.
Ashamed of Jesus? Yes, I may, When I’ve no guilt to wash away;
No tear to wipe, no good to crave, No fear to quell, no soul to save.
Till then – nor is my boasting vain – Till then, I boast a Savior slain;
And oh, may this my glory be, That Christ is not ashamed of me! Amen.