Rabbi’s Reflections – Monday, August 8, 2022
Shalom *|FNAME|*,
The Upper Room Discourse (part 5 of ???)
The “Upper Room Discourse” is the title used to describe a series of stories and teachings shortly before the Passover of Yeshua’s crucifixion. It records the events during a time of extreme urgency. Yeshua had much left to say to His disciples, but only a short time in which to say it. One Chronological Bible breaks it down into ten sections…
1. Yeshua washes the disciples feet… John 13:1-20
2. Yeshua reveals He will be betrayed… Mk 14:18-21. Matt 16:21-25, Lk 22:21-23, John 13:21-30
3. Disciples Argue who is the greatest… Luke 22:24-30
4. The Lord’s Supper… Mark 14:22-26, Matt 26:26-29, Luke 22:15-20
5. Yeshua predicts Peter’s denial… John 13:31-35, Mark 14:27-31, Matt 26:30-35, Luke 22:31-38, John 13:36-38
6. Yeshua comforts His disciples… John 14:1-15:17
7. The world hates the disciples… John 15:18-16:25
8. The work of the Holy Spirit… John 15:26-16:33
9. Yeshua’s prayers… John 17:1-26
10. Yeshua prays at Gethsemane… Mark 14:32-42, Matt 26:36-46, Luke 22:39-46
In the first four RRs on the Upper Room Discourse last week, I covered what I wanted to say about John 13:1-20. What I want to write next is not so clean chronologically. Specifically, I want to write about this verse…
John 13:27 And with that bit, satan entered into him. Then Yeshua tells him, “What you’re about to do, do quickly!”
Of course, we know that this was written about Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Yeshua. I want to push past that surface meaning to uncover a lesson for us all in the first few words, “And with that bit….”
You might be tempted to ask, “What’s the problem? Judas was just eating a piece of matzah, something we have all done many times.” The Bible does record accurately,… John 13:6 Yeshua answers, “It’s the one I will give this bit of matzah to, after I dip it.” After dipping the matzah , He takes it and gives it to Judah from Kriot, the son of Simon.
The other three gospel accounts (the synoptic gospels) go into much greater detail about the Lord’s Supper, but don’t miss the mention here, in John. Judas had unrepentant sin which was empowered as he partook of communion. Paul specifically warns us about this… 1 Corinthians 11:27 Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the Lord’s cup in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.
With every Scripture we read, we should always ask ourselves, “What is the Lord saying to me through this verse?” Each of us is tempted to say, “Wait a minute, I’m not guilty!” But we can’t realize our need for salvation without also realizing we ARE guilty of sin. Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Paul gives us the solution… 1 Corinthians 11:28 But a man must examine himself, and then let him eat of the bread and drink from the cup. Examine yourself? Search your heart. Is there unrepentant sin? We get right with God through repentance. The Hebrew mindset of the meaning of repentance is to turn or to change direction.
Sin separates us from God. When we “TURN” from sin, we redirect our lives to be closer to God. Paul goes on to say it this way… 1 Corinthians 11:29 For the one who eats and drinks without recognizing the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself. He uses the term “recognizing the body.” That means we must recognize the power of Yeshua to raise is own dead body, and from that moment on, to raise all the faithful dead to eternal life. If we miss this, we have not believed the gospel and all is lost.
Judas had decided to sin. His sin was empowered and his destruction was great. In the same way, when we repent, God’s righteousness in us is empowered and our reward unto eternal salvation is great. Allow the Spirit of God to do its perfect work… Proverbs 20:27 The spirit of man is the lamp of Adonai, searching all his inmost being.
Please consider this last verse today as an invitation from the Lord to repent. Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Mon 08-Aug-2022 11th of Av, 5782
De 3:23-4:4 Eze 35 1 Ch 9 (Jn 2) 1 Tim 2
Week 33
Memory Verse: Luke 14:26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters—and yes, even his own life—he cannot be My disciple. 27 Whoever does not carry his own cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple.
161 8/8 Monday: Luke 9:10-62
162 8/9 Tuesday: Mark 9-10
163 8/10 Wednesday: Luke 12
164 8/11 Thursday: John 3-4
165 8/12 Friday: Luke 14