Now we are coming to the final days of the Lord’s journey before going to Jerusalem to die on the cross. The passover lamb spoken of in Exodus 12 was a picture of God’s Son who would lay down His life so that we could be delivered from the bondage of our sins.
Notice how carefully the Bible describes the attitudes of all involved during those last few days. The chief priests and scribes were crafty and did not want to cause an uproar on the feast day, but in this they failed because we read that “a tumult was made” (Matthew 27:2424When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. (Matthew 27:24)). Then, a woman revealed the affections of her heart for the Lord by pouring very precious ointment on His head. How the disciples felt about this “waste” is mentioned in verse 8 as “indignation.” God knows how we feel about things, even when we don’t say a word.
The disciples did not decide among themselves where would be a good place to keep the feast of unleavened bread (also called the passover); they asked the Lord for directions. The Bible has instructions to guide believers today to where the Lord would be in the midst (Matthew 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)).
When the Lord said that one of them would betray Him, they were exceeding sorrowful. They began to say, “Lord, is it I?” for they did not trust themselves, but, the next moment, led by Peter’s example of self-confidence, none of the disciples thought that they would ever deny their Lord. They were willing in spirit but didn’t realize how weak their flesh was.
Repentance is of the Lord, and it is the goodness of God that leads us to repent (Romans 2:44Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? (Romans 2:4)). If we were left to ourselves, we would all choose to continue in our sins. Judas was a covetous person who betrayed the Lord Jesus for thirty pieces of silver because he loved money. Peter, on the other hand, loved the Lord, but he was self-confident, thinking that he would never deny his master. “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool” (Proverbs 28:2626He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. (Proverbs 28:26)). Isn’t this a lesson we often have to learn?
1. The Lord Jesus said He would be crucified during the feast of the passover. The ____________ and scribes did not want this to take place during what time, lest there be an uproar among the people? Matthew 26:___
But
2. Who did the disciples ask for directions as to where to go to keep the feast of ____________ bread, also called the passover? Matthew 26:___
Now
3. When the Lord said that one of His disciples would ____________ Him, they began to say, “Lord, is it I?” What did Judas say? Matthew 26:___
Then
4. Peter denied the Lord Jesus three times. Was he the only disciple who said he would not ____________ Him? Matthew 26:___
Peter
5. When their sin was found out, ____________ and Judas did two very different things. What did Peter do? Matthew 26:___
And