“Dinner and Deceit”

(Matthew 26:17-25)

Series: God’s Fulfilled Purpose [on screen]

Rev. Matthew C. McCraw, EdD

First Baptist Church, Bartow, Florida

October 11, 2020

The Passage

Matthew 26:17-25

17 On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”

18 “Go into the city to a certain man,” he said, “and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My time is near; I am celebrating the Passover at your place with my disciples.’” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. 20 When evening came, he was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21 While they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”

22 Deeply distressed, each one began to say to him, “Surely not I, Lord?”

23 He replied, “The one who dipped his hand with me in the bowl—he will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for him if he had not been born.”

25 Judas, his betrayer, replied, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” “You have said it,” he told him.

Introductory Comments:

We are continuing our study in the Gospel of Matthew. Here we are, picking it back up, in Matthew 26. We’re learning about the conspiracy against and betrayal of Jesus. 

You may remember from last week that Judas had met with the Jewish leaders to see what he might gain from betraying Jesus. 

Now, Judas is dining with Jesus and the other disciples as they prepare to celebrate the Passover. This is what we’ll dive into today. 

Before we go any further, let’s pray together.

(prayer)

When my wife and I were dating I took her to a mystery dinner show. Many different clues were presented throughout the show and we were able to enjoy a meal and enjoy mystery at the same time. 

In today’s passage, the disciples are getting ready to enjoy a dinner with their master, teacher, lord, and Messiah. We’ll see that this is not just any other dinner. At this dinner, there is mystery and suspense. 

As we study this passage, we will identify two moments that happen before a soon coming monumental event. 

First, let’s identify . . . 

I. The moment before the Passover. (vv. 17-19) [on screen]

Let us look at the passage to see what is happening with our Lord and His disciples. Look at Matthew 26:17-19.

17 On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”

18 “Go into the city to a certain man,” he said, “and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My time is near; I am celebrating the Passover at your place with my disciples.’” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.

First of all, we learn that the timing of this gathering is associated with two events, the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the Passover. Well, which one is it? Actually, it’s both. The Feast of Unleavened Bread was a festival of about seven days which took place around the same time as Passover; it was part of the Passover festivities. So, Jesus and His disciples assemble on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which was probably the day before Passover to gather for a meal. More than likely, after sundown, the Passover meal could be taken in celebration of the Passover. 

Again, we see this event where Jesus tells His disciples to go into the city and tell someone that they are to do a specific thing for Jesus. 

Remember, this happened with Jesus and the donkey’s colt as He rode into Jerusalem at the Triumphal Entry back in Matthew 21. 

Jesus could have supernaturally arranged all of this to happen, or He could have coordinated this ahead of time. Perhaps this “certain man” Jesus spoke of was someone who accepted Jesus as Messiah and he would be more than glad to accommodate this request. We don’t kno