Day 313—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying the New Testament Gospels.

Day 313 – Matthew 26, Mark 14 (Judas’ betrayal, Passover/Lord’s Supper, Jesus foretells Peter’s denial, Gethsemane, Arrest and trial, Peter’s denial)

Today’s and tomorrow’s passages are similar.

Jesus states clearly to His disciples that “after two days, the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” (How plain can He say it?)

The chief priests and elders gather in Caiaphas’s palace and plot to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill Him.

Judas goes to them and asks what they will pay him to deliver Jesus to them.  They give him 30 pieces of silver. From that time on, Judas seeks an opportunity to betray Jesus.

Two disciples ask Jesus where He wants them to prepare the Passover. Jesus tells them to find a certain man in the city, one carrying a jar of water (an unusual sight because women usually carry water). They were to ask him where, and he would show them a large upper room furnished and ready.

At the meal, Jesus announces that one of them will betray Him. Eleven disciples exclaim, “Is it I, Lord?” Judas asks, “Is it I, Rabbi?” Jesus answers him, Yes, and dismisses him to do what he must.

Jesus then institutes the Lord’s Supper (Communion), relating the bread to His body and the wine to His blood. Both would be “given” to them at His crucifixion, where the forgiveness of sin would be purchased.  Hereafter, they were to eat and drink these in memorial to Him.

Then, after they had sung a hymn (probably Psalm 118), Jesus announced that they would ALL fall away that very night because of Him. He quotes Zechariah 13:7, “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.”  But He tells them AGAIN that He will be raised and that afterward, He will go before them to Galilee.

“Even though they all fall away, I WILL NOT,” declares Peter.

“Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”

“If I must die with You, I WILL NOT DENY YOU,” repeats Peter, and they all join the pledge.

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

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And they went out to the Mount of Olives to a place called Gethsemane….

More tomorrow.