The Last WeekSample

THE BITTER CUP

This day was the day known as the Lord’s Supper, where Jesus and the 12 disciples ate together after sunset. It is the day of betrayal, a night of agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, disappointment in the three who could not stay awake and pray, and the soldiers arresting Him.

In the evening He came with the twelve. Now as they sat and ate, Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you who eats with Me will betray Me.” And they began to be sorrowful, and to say to Him one by one, “Is it I?” And another said, “Is it I?” He answered and said to them, “It is one of the twelve, who dips with Me in the dish. 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.” Mark 14:17-21

Jesus broke bread and drank from the cup with the Disciples, the act of communion. The bread represents His body, and the cup represents the blood of our Savior and the new covenant.

Jesus went through so much mental anguish that week. Judas not only betrayed Him for 30 shekels of silver, but one of His closest followers, Peter, denied Jesus three times. Today 30 shekels of silver would be worth less than $200.00. One wonders how Judas could stoop so low. When we allow our weaknesses to rule who we are, Satan steps right in to make sure his grip is tight.

Peter, James, and John went to the Garden of Gethsemane with Jesus to be in prayer with Father God. Jesus, being human, asked God for the bitter cup to pass from Him. Yet He prayed not His will, but God’s will be done. When Jesus returned from prayer, He found the three sleeping, and then He was arrested.

CAN YOU RELATE?

Jesus moved day by day into his final week, knowing full well the agony He was about to suffer. Being human, He desired the bitter cup be removed from Him, yet He knew the only way was to follow the will of God. We have many things in life we do not desire, yet God’s will is that we obey and follow Him.