READ: Mark 14:12-21: … The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had never been born.
Preparations for the celebration of the Passover are made on the first day of the feast, which is Thursday. The disciples are sent out to find the dining room that Jesus has already reserved. On Jesus’s instructions, they are guided by others to a large upper room that is already fully furnished. Only the Passover itself needs to be prepared. This includes preparing a slaughtered Passover lamb and setting up unleavened bread, bitter herbs, and wine, among other things.
In the evening, Jesus arrives with the twelve, and Judas is also present again. As they recline and begin the meal, Jesus gives an alarming announcement, saying emphatically: Amen, I say to you, one of you who eats with Me will betray Me.
That word hits like a bomb. How is that possible? Yes, if the Master says so, then it must be so, but who among them will it be? There is consternation, powerlessness, and deep sorrow among eleven of the twelve: “It is not I, is it?” There is also Satanic hypocrisy in one of the twelve, who says the same: “It is not I, is it?”
But Jesus answers: It is one of the twelve who dips with Me in the dish. This is certainly not an order from Jesus to betray but an expression of resignation: Jesus eats with His betrayer (Ps. 41:9); He knows what must happen to Him and does not resist. So is His explanation: “The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written about Him.”
Yet, Jesus does not stop there. He also points out the terrible nature of what Judas is about to do: “but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” Judas cannot claim that he was not warned. He now knows what awaits him.
Why did Judas continue with his betrayal?
Singing: Ps. 55:11,13