After spending a relatively calm and restful day and evening in Bethany, the following day began peaceful enough. We can think of it as a holy calm before the coming storm. For now the preparations for the Passover Feast were the order of the day, and there was much to be done.
This was the first day of Unleavened Bread, more commonly known as the Feast of Unleavened Bread. As part of the preparations in the Jewish home, all leaven was removed and only unleavened bread was permitted for use (Matthew 26:17). The many details of the feast required attention that could take the better part of a day to accomplish.
For example, a suitable room was needed. Then, it had to be swept and cleansed meticulously in order to remove any traces of leaven. Oil lamps were brought in, and the lamb, bread, wine, bitter herbs, etc., which were also necessary, needed to be ready. Like any big, celebratory meal, it took time and effort make it happen (Matthew 26:17-19).
It's very likely that when the Lord talked about eating the Passover, the disciples presumed that Jesus was talking about the regular Paschal supper (Mark 14:12-16; Luke 22:7-13) in which the traditional "paschal lamb" was eaten on the established day. They didn't know that Jesus had intended something else entirely.
Jesus sent two of his disciples into the city (Jerusalem) to prepare for the Passover keeping the others unaware of the location until the last possible moment (Matthew 26:18; Mark 14:13). This was done deliberately by Christ in order to prevent Judas from fulfilling his purpose until after the celebration.
After sunset, there in the Upper Room of the house they had found, the group settled in to share the Passover. Jesus already knew that Satan had entered into the disciple Judas Iscariot and would soon betray him (Luke 22:3). Sometime during the meal, Jesus rose from the table and proceeded to wash the feet of his disciples, thereby illustrating how they were to love each another (John 13:3-5).
As Jesus reclines at the table with his disciples, he announces that one of them will betray him (Matthew 26:20-21). At the conclusion of the supper Jesus took bread from the table and held it up so everyone could see. He blessed it, giving thanks to his Father for it, and for what it stands for.
He then broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body" (Matthew 26:26), then offered to share wine from his cup with them after blessing it, as well (Matthew 26:27). Thus, by this demonstration during the Last Supper, the Lord's Supper or Communion was instituted. We can continually remember his sacrifice by partaking in the rudiments of bread and wine (Luke 22:19-20).
Subsequently, with the meal now finished, the group departed for the Garden Gethsemane. It was here that he privately prayed in agony to God (Matthew 26: 39, 42). Not long after this, Jesus was betrayed by Judas Iscariot and taken prisoner by the large, armed crowd who had followed him there (Matthew 26:47-50).
Having him in custody, they took Jesus to the home of Caiaphas, the High Priest where the teachers of the law and the elders had gathered (Matthew 26:57). It was here, in the early hours of the morning, that Jesus' trial began. The disciple Peter, who had only earlier declared that he would die for Jesus, denied knowing him three times as foretold (Matthew 26:34,35).
Immediately following his third and last denial a nearby rooster crowed, signaling the coming of a new day, And, Peter, lowering his head, began to weep grievously (Matthew 26: 74-75).
Scripture: Proverbs 3:3; Romans 12:2; Titus 3:5; Proverbs 25:26; Romans 10:10
Prayer: Dear Lord, watch over me now, and in times of temptation, so that I may remain under Your protection. Watch over me so that I have hope and joy in You, fully knowing that Your goal for me is true life in You. Amen.
Have a blessed day!
Billie
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