Matthew 26 reminds me of the devastation that bitterness leaves behind. Anger, frustration and hurt can fester over time; dig deep enough into your pain and you will find a root of bitterness. Today’s chapter reveals insights into the soul. It begins with the keys to understanding; Jesus told His disciples “the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified”. This was His mission and purpose. Jerusalem was filled to capacity in anticipation and the Jewish leaders “schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill Him… But not during the festival… or there may be a riot”. Secret things are hard to keep secret forever. The next image given is Mary, sister of Lazarus anointing Jesus with “very expensive perfume, which she poured on His head”. Anointing was symbolic of recognition. For Mary it was an act of worship, but note the reaction of at least one disciple, “Why this waste?” quickly adding that it “could have been sold… and the money given to the poor”. What excuse do you use for being stingy in your worship?. Jesus said, “The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have Me… she did it to prepare Me for burial”.
Next we read “Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, ‘What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him over to you?’” He accepted the meager sum of “thirty pieces of silver”, the cost of the lowest slave. Next they asked “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” These Jewish men would naturally celebrate Passover together. The Last Supper was a Passover meal, and this is the key to understanding the powerful new meaning given to the elements. “When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve”. The Hebrew day began at sunset, but the Seder was normally eaten at the end of the day. What was the reason for the change? The Passover Lamb had not yet been slaughtered. But it is not true to say there was no lamb present, according to 1 Corinthians 5:7, Jesus was the “Passover lamb”. It was during the meal that Jesus announced “one of you will betray Me”. I find it amazing that none were certain who it would be and each questioned their own motives.
After eating, the middle matzah, which had been broken, wrapped in linen and hidden, was now retrieved. It was this bread, the symbol of hope, which Jesus blessed according to the ceremony, but He then changed the meaning completely, “Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is My body’”. Next He took the last glass of wine, the Cup of Redemption, the symbol of the blood of the Passover Lamb spread on the doorpost in Egypt. “When He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins’”. This would shock everyone present; in one sentence He radically changed the meaning of a 1500 year old symbol from death to life. Jesus added, “I will not drink from this fruit of the vine… until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom”. There will be a reunion celebration in heaven. They sang the Passover Hymns on the way to the Garden where Jesus prayed and the disciples slept. Jesus prayed, “If it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will”. What cup? It could not be to bypass the cross; that was His purpose. I believe it was bitterness toward those who would curse, spit and beat Him. And I believe it was answered. What about Peter? After being called out by a little girl He said, “I don’t know the man! Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: ‘Before the rooster crows, you will disown Me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly”. My friend, the difference between Peter and Judas was only one thing; Peter remembered the words of Jesus and he repented. Is it time for you to put down the cup of bitterness?