Last Straw for Betrayal Matthew 26:6-30 · Join the Journey

In American history, the name Benedict Arnold is synonymous with treason. He was once a respected general in the Continental Army, a hero of battles, but his name is now a byword for betrayal. Why? Because he secretly plotted to hand over West Point to the British in exchange for money and a high-ranking position. His treachery was exposed just in time, and Arnold fled to the enemy’s side. Though he lived out his days in England, he was despised by both Americans and the British—dying a man without a country, without honor, and full of regret.

Over 1,700 years earlier, another name became infamous for betrayal: Judas Iscariot. Like Arnold, Judas was once trusted—he was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, walking with Christ, witnessing miracles, and hearing divine wisdom firsthand. Yet, for 30 pieces of silver, he sold out the Savior of the world. His name, like Arnold’s, became a symbol of treachery, but his story ended in even greater tragedy—driven by guilt, he took his own life instead of seeking redemption.

Both men were close to greatness. Both had potential for incredible legacies. But both chose self-interest over loyalty, and their names are forever linked to betrayal.

Betrayal is a serious matter—not just in history, but in our spiritual lives. The question we must ask ourselves today is: Could we be betraying Jesus in our own ways? We may not sell Him for silver, but do we deny Him with our actions? Do we trade faithfulness for personal gain, convenience, or comfort?

Which I believe is one of the many reasons that Jesus gives us this reminder and time to regularly examine our relationship with God, with others and to renew our commitment to Him with the Lord’s Supper.

It was Passover. And every year the Israelites would make the trip to Jerusalem for the week long celebration. Passover was 1 of 3 festivals that Israelites would come to Jerusalem and the temple to celebrate. Passover being the largest of the 3. During Passover Israel would look back and remember how God had delivered them from captivity in Egypt. So there would have been a lot of people coming to Jerusalem to celebrate. They would take a lamb remembering how God had passed over the homes of those that had believed and obeyed God. Having put the blood of the lamb on their door post. Its estimated there were as many as a million Israelites that packed into Jerusalem and the surrounding areas for that Passover. And as many as 100,000 lambs sacrificed that year. But unknown to many, another lamb would be sacrificed, once for all. He is the lamb of God!

Jesus had a big following and there were a lot of people coming to Jerusalem. And so even though they knew that Jesus would be coming for Passover, the chief priests and religious leaders had planed to wait until the festival was over after the crowds had started to leave and go home, to arrest Jesus. They didn’t what to do it public and cause a riot, that would force Rome to come and take control. But an opportunity to take Jesus out would soon present itself from within His group.

Everything we've studied from Chapters 21-25 occurred in the final week before the cross. The events we will study today will take place the last two days before Jesus will hang on the cross.

After this triumphal entry into Jerusalem at the start of Passover week. Jesus has the interactions with the religious leaders that we have studied over the last number of weeks. Jesus and his disciples stop off in Bethany a town near Jerusalem and are having dinner at Simon the Leper’s House. While they were having dinner a woman comes in and breaks open a jar of expensive perfume, anoints Jesus with it.

If you have your Bibles, turn with me to Matthew 26. If you don’t have one, we have some on the back table—take one as our gift to you. If you are looking for the book of Matthew its on the right side of your bibles, the 1st book of the New Testament.

Matthew 26:6-13

Matthew 26:6–13

Anointing a guest like this would have been a common custom at a festival meal. But some of Jesus disciples, led by Judas, voice their opposition. This perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor. They said. But the truth is that Judas just wanted to line his own pockets. But this seems to be the tipping point for him. Jesus and His disciples stay the nights in Bethany at night and go into Jerusalem during the day. As they are making these trips into Jerusalem Judas slips away and conspires with the chief priests to hand Jesus over.

Matthew 26:14-16

Matthew 26:14–16

Judas' betrayal was set in motion during a week meant to celebrate God's faithfulness—the Passover. But little did anyone know, a greater act of deliverance was about to unfold.

Most likely on Thursday evening Jesus heads into Jerusalem to celebrate this final Passover before He will die on the cross. The disciples had gone ahead and prepared for this meal. Again this meal and the whole festival of Passover was to retell the story of God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt. But this Passover would become the Passover that God will deliver not just Israel but all of mankind from our bondage to sin, once for all.

Jesus gathers in the upper room with his disciples, including Judas, to share this Passover meal. The unleavened bread they were eating reminded Israel of that night in Egypt they had to eat in hast, so they couldn’t let the bread rise. Because the next morning God would deliver them from bondage in Egypt. The lamb they were eating would remind them of the lambs slaughtered all over Egypt that night the blood protected them by showing their trust in God. The blood of the lamb in Egypt saved Israel from death, but the blood of Jesus saves all who believe in Him from eternal death. This was the fulfillment of God’s ultimate plan of redemption. Jesus starts to point his disciples to what God getting ready to do.

Matthew 26:26-29

Matthew 26:26–29

Jesus tells them that this bread would now remind them of Jesus’ body. But these guys didn’t fully understand what Jesus was telling them. But in the hours and days to come they would. Jesus took the cup and tells them this would now become a reminder of His blood and the new covenant that God will make not just with Israel but with all who will believe in Jesus.

NT Wright “When Jesus wanted to explain to his disciples what his death was all about, he didn’t give them a theory, he gave them a meal.”

Jesus took this meal that Israel used to remind them of how God delivered the from bondage in Egypt and used it to remind all of us how God has delivered us from our bondage form sin through the sacrifice of His very son, Jesus!

This will become a memorial for followers of Jesus from that night on until Jesus comes again. Every time we gather we partake in this meal. Along with our brothers and sisters around the world. We take the bread and give thanks for Jesus’ body that he laid down for us. We take the cup and remember his blood that He poured out for the forgiveness of our sins.

This meal serves as a reminder of the convent that Jesus has made with us. Imagine a couple who has been married for many years. They've shared joys and hardships, laughter and tears. Over time, life’s distractions—work, children, struggles—may have caused them to drift apart. But one day, they stand before each other once again, holding hands, looking into each other’s eyes, and renewing their vows. In that moment, they aren’t getting remarried—they are reaffirming their commitment. They are saying, “I still choose you.”

In many ways, Communion is like a like this. When we partake of the bread and the cup, we are not getting “re-saved” or earning our salvation. Instead, we are remembering the covenant Jesus made with us through His sacrifice.

It reminds us of the peace that Jesus has given us with God. And It reminds us of the peace that Jesus us given us with each other. When the world looks at the church they see all of us unique and different and yet unified. We come from different backgrounds, different families, different social and economic backgrounds, different races, different perspectives and yet we are unified. Why? Because of Jesus. And Communion or the Lord’s Supper reminds us of this peace that Jesus has given us with each other.

One of the many issues going on in the church at Corinth was their unity. There was divisions among them and it showed up when they gathered together. Paul says in the following things he had no praise for them. that their meetings were doing more harm than good. Woe. It would be better for them not to be together if they were going to keep dividing themselves.

They divided themselves by the wealthy and the poor. The rich would bring their food and share with other one that were rich and not with those who didn’t have. They were humiliating those that had nothing and it was destructive to the church. So Paul reminds them what their gatherings and what Communion should have been about.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

1 Corinthians 11:23–26

There is power when we the church come together and proclaim our shared believe in Jesus until He comes again.

For the church in the book of Acts they were devoted to the Communion along with the Apostles teaching, prayer and fellowship. We see them daily gathering together in the temple courts and house to house. We see the church in Troas coming gathering the first day of the week break bread. This was something they did regularly to be reminded of the sacrifice of Jesus that gave them peace with God and with each other.

This is why as Journey Church every Sunday we offer this as part of our worship gathering. So we too can be reminded of the price Jesus paid for our sins and for our unity.

But if we have communion every week wont it lose some of it’s importance and meaning? It can. But if your anything like me you are forgetful. And need to be reminded of the most important thing regularly. In fact Paul gives us a strong warning here.

1 Corinthians 11:27

1 Corinthians 11: 29

Partaking in communion in an unworthy manner is a big deal. Paul says when we do we are sinning against the body and blood of Jesus and bring judgment on ourself. But thankful Paul doesn’t just give us this warning but he tell us how to make sure we partake in a worthy manner.

1 Corinthians 11:28

Examine yourself. Communion calls for personal examination and collective participation. Paul is not saying we must be perfect to partake, but we have to be prepared. So how can we examine ourselves? How can we be prepared?

Let me give you three things you can do.

First examine your relationship with God. Are their specific sins that you need to confess? Are there attitudes or shortcomings that are hindering you from following Jesus? Are you living in open rebellion against God? Confess it all to God.

John tells us that if we confess our sins to God He is faithful and just and will forgive. Examine your relationship with God and confess your sins to Him.

Second, examine your relationship with others. Jesus tells us that if we are offering our gift on the alter and there remember that our brother or sister has something against us that go and be reconciled to them and then come and offer it. Is there unforgiveness, jealously or bitterness that you are harboring. Go be reconciled. Examine your relationship with God and with others and finally renew your commitment to God.

Communion is a rememinder the covenant Jesus made with us through His sacrifice. So renew your commitment to God. God I am going to trust you as the Lord of every part of my life. I will follow you in the ups and downs. In the good and bad times. I am your servant.

Examine your relationship with God and with others, and renew your commitment to God. Then when your ready partake and proclaim for all to see that you believe in Jesus! This was so important that Jesus gave it to us the night before going to the cross and giving His life as a sacrifice for our forgiveness.

If you are a follower of Jesus we invite your to join us in this time of communion today. As we take Communion today, let’s not do so out of routine but as a declaration: We believe in Jesus. We trust in His sacrifice. We commit to follow Him. Let’s examine, remember, and proclaim—until He comes again.

If you aren’t a follower of Jesus. I want you to know that Jesus gave His life as sacrifice to bring you peace with God. To forgive you of your sins has He has forgiven mine. If you want to learn more about I’d love to talk with you today or anytime. I’ll be in the lobby right now or call, text me anytime.