YEA Lesson Library

The Lesson

Over 2000 years ago the chief priests and other religious leaders met with the High Priest to plan how they could capture Jesus quietly and kill him. These were the highest religious leaders devout keepers of the law - but they didn't like what He taught. They needed a useful idiot - a betrayer.

Judas was one of Jesus' 12 Apostles. He was the Apostle with the purse strings; he kept the money. He was one of Jesus' best friends. For three and a half years he had followed Jesus around the hills of Judea. From all outward appearances, Judas liked Jesus and believed what He taught.

The Bible tells us that the love of money is a root of all evil. And Judas wasn't exempt from its temptation. Before the Passover that was about to take place, Judas went to the High Priest and asked him, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him [Jesus] over to you?" They agreed on 30 pieces of silver. What a paltry amount to betray the Savior of the world. But from that time on, Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

A very intimate Passover was prepared that evening for Jesus and the 12 Apostles. While they were eating a meal, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me." Eleven of the disciples said to Jesus, "Surely not I, Lord?" Jesus explained that it was the disciple who dipped his hand in the bowl with Him who would betray Him. And Judas said, "Surely it's not me?" But Jesus answered, "Yes, it is you." How do you think you would have felt if Jesus had singled you out during the Passover service and marked you as a betrayer?

This Passover was different from the one you learned about last year when God delivered the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. Today's lesson is about Jesus' last Passover, when He changed the Passover symbols that had been used through the ages. Jesus took bread, gave thanks, and broke it. He said, "Take and eat; this is my body.

What did He mean? And why did He break the bread? The unleavened bread in the Passover represents Jesus' body that was broken for you - for your healing. He was beaten within an inch of His life, scourged with a cat-o'-nine-tails, and experienced every type of pain known to man so that we can be healed. Isaiah 53:5 says, "But he was pierced for our transgressions [sins], he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed" (NIV). This important part of the Passover should not be overlooked, nor misunderstood. 1 Corinthians 11:29-30 says: "For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep."

Then Jesus took the second new Passover symbol, which was a cup of wine. He gave thanks and offered it to His disciples with instructions for them to drink all of it. He explained that this represented "my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."

Jesus offered a new covenant to His disciples to make with Him. To enter this covenant the disciples had to drink of the wine in that cup which represented His blood that would be poured out the next day at the crucifixion. In last year's Holy Day supplement, you read about the blood of a lamb being put on the door so the death angel would pass by without killing the firstborn. In this new covenant this symbol of the Passover was changed to the wine in that cup.

The Passover ended with Jesus and the disciples singing a hymn before leaving for the Mount of Olives where Jesus would have the most awful night of His life. Things went from bad to worse. Jesus left His disciples three times to pray because He knew that the next day He would be beaten to the point of being unrecognizable. Each time He came back from praying He found His disciples asleep. One time Jesus prayed so fervently, that His sweat became as great drops of blood. He asked His Father if He could find another way for mankind to have forgiveness of their sins, so He wouldn't have to go through this horrible ordeal. But Jesus was so obedient to His Father that He always said, "Not my will, but your will be done." The death of God's perfect Son was the only way you and I could have forgiveness of our sins.

Judas found his opportunity to betray Jesus and showed up with a large crowd armed with swords and clubs. These men were sent by the highest, the High Priest. Judas kissed Jesus on the cheek signaling His identity to this crowd of fanatics who wanted blood--Jesus' blood. Jesus then was arrested.

Jesus stood trial al night long before a biased jury. He was beaten, insulted, humiliated, and scourged so that we can be healed. Then He was told to carry His stake to Golgotha where He was crucified. Late in the day a Roman soldier pierced His side and Jesus' blood was poured out for our sins. He did this so that you can be forgiven of your sins — your betrayal of Him — and have eternal life. Even the Father turned His back on His Son so that He could die for you and for me. Christ's sacrifice was essential for your salvation.

Judas betrayed Jesus. Peter denied Christ three times before the rooster crowed. Are you going to betray Jesus in the things you do, as Judas did? Every day we have a choice to either stand up for the truth and what is right, or follow the world and reject our Lord. Judas chose death. Will you choose life? It's the choice only you can make. Will you accept the sacrifice of the Lamb of God for your sins and change your life to live by His every Word?