OUR ATONEMENT
Matthew 26:17–30
Events began to unfold in Matthew 26 as Jesus’ divine appointment with the cross was approaching. The religious leaders met with the high priest, Caiaphas, to make a plan to arrest Jesus away from the crowds and ultimately to kill Him. The next passage in the chapter is bittersweet as Mary, the sister of Lazarus, interrupted the dinner at the home of Simon the leper by anointing the head and feet of Jesus with a costly perfume.
Some of the disciples — probably Judas — objected, saying that was a waste because the perfume could have been sold to help the poor. Jesus responded to their objection by stating, “She has prepared Me for burial.” Jesus was coming to this moment to die on a cross for the sins of the world. That must have been the last straw for Judas because following that dinner, he met with the chief priests and arranged to sell out Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.
Coming Betrayal (17–25)
Since the day was approaching for the Passover feast, Jesus directed His disciples to arrange for the meeting place and observance for that night.
This event is recorded in each of the Gospels. In John’s Gospel, Jesus washes His disciples’ feet and gives them the command to do as He has done. Judas the betrayer was in the room. Peter, who would deny Jesus before the night was over, was in the room. Jesus sat down as they were preparing to celebrate the Passover and said, “One of you will betray Me.”
The disciples were shocked. They questioned Jesus, “Surely not I, Lord?” Jesus identified Judas as His betrayer when he dipped his hand in the dish with Jesus.
I penned some lyrics years ago on this scene in the Upper Room. The lyrics ask, “Is it I? Am I the one? Would I ever willingly betray God’s only Son? By word or deed, help me to see all the times I failed to share the truth of Thee.”
Lest we be too hard on Judas, each of us — in the wrong place, with the wrong frame of mind, with the wrong heart — is capable of betraying our Lord.
Coming Atonement (26–30)
Jesus imbued this traditional celebration with new meaning. Taking bread, He said, “Take and eat it; this is My body.” He also took the cup. This particular cup was the third cup representing God’s promise of redemption in the Passover meal. It is consumed after the main meal. Jesus said, “For this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
The Lord’s Supper, instituted by the Lord Jesus, is a continual reminder of the sacrificial, vicarious and atoning death of Jesus Christ on the cross.
In 1 Corinthians 11, the Apostle Paul reminds us that this is a time of commemoration. It is also a time of proclamation. We “proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”
We should approach the Lord’s Supper with a sense of deep appreciation accompanied by personal examination.
The Lord’s Supper is a tangible reminder that Jesus actually laid His body down on a cross and shed His precious blood for our redemption. At the close of the Passover meal, Jesus and His disciples left the Upper Room and headed out the city gate to the Garden of Gethsemane.
EDITOR’S NOTE — The Sunday School lesson outlines are provided by Lifeway.
By Don Fugate
Senior pastor of Foxworthy Baptist Church in San Jose, California
