Matthew 26:14-30

About the Text

(17) What is the Feast of Unleavened Bread? It was a feast, instituted by God in the Old Testament, that was celebrated in conjunction with Passover. See Lev. 23:5-8, Num. 28:16-25, and Deut. 16:1-8. For one week, Jews ate bread with no yeast. Such bread looked like a very thin tortilla. For Christians, this yeast-less bread symbolizes Jesus Christ, who the sinless "bread of life" (John 6:35).

(18) How would the disciples have recognized this "certain man" they were to talk to? This certain stranger, according to Luke 21:10, was carrying a water jar.

(21) How did Jesus know who would betray Him? He was God, and knows all.

(24) If Jesus was betrayed just as God planned, then why was Judas Iscariot's action still condemned? This is a mystery involving the sovereignty of God. On one hand, Jesus was crucified because of evil, wicked men such as Judas Iscariot. For this, God holds such men responsible for their actions. But on the other hand, everything happened according to God's plan. In fact, Acts 4:27-28 says that evil men met "to conspire against your holy servant Jesus," yet also says that "they did what Your power and will had decided beforehand should happen." God, in the Scriptures, presents both human responsibility and God's sovereignty, while recognizing no contradiction.

(25) Why did Judas say "Surely not I" when he knew it would be him? He lied, thinking that if he responded like the other disciples, he might not be discovered as the betrayer.

(26) What did Jesus mean by "this is My body"? See the four views below. The pastor's view is the Calvinist position, that Christ is present in the elements of the Lord's Supper spiritually, not physically. There are several reasons. First, the Bible says that Christ's physical body ascended to heaven and won't return until the Second Coming (Acts 1:9-11). Second, all Scriptural uses of the word "body" either refer to the church, or to a body with hands, feet, eyes, etc. For Christ to be physically present in the bread and wine would necessitate a third definition of the word "body," supported by only three passages of Scripture. Third, metaphor were often used in Scripture, e.g. "I am the true vine, "the Rock was Christ," "I am the door of the sheep." Yet the Bible explains that somehow Christ is really present when we celebrate the Lord's Supper. John 6:53 talks of "eating the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His blood." Moreover, in 1 Cor. 11:23-29, Paul emphasizes the presence of Christ in the elements: "Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord."

(28) What does "blood of the covenant" mean? A covenant is contract with a promise. The covenant that Jesus spoke of is that promise of God that He will bless believers by giving them salvation and all the blessings of the Holy Spirit. See Hebrews 10:16.

This Is My Body - 4 Views