“Our Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed...”(1 Corinthians 11:23). Immediately, our wandering attention is caught and we are compelled to focus on the unfolding drama of an experience of a person that finds no rival anywhere else in terms of the intensity of its pain and on the other hand, the boundless good that it would bring to humanity.
“Our Lord Jesus...”: such a powerful confirmation of the identity of Jesus. He is Lord. He is not just any other guy with the name Jesus (which was not exactly a rare name in those days). He is the Lord. He is not even to be classified with any other powerful man in the political or social scenery. He is the Lord Jesus.
“Our Lord Jesus...”: such a powerful confirmation of our unusual spiritual privilege. He is not only the Lord Jesus. He is OUR Lord Jesus. He is not a stranger. To others, He may be the judge. To others, He may be an acquaintance. To many others, He may be just a name. To some other people, He may just be a person whose historicity is of doubtful certainty and whose claims in life are open to disbelieving questions. To us, He is OUR Lord. He is not only just any Lord. He is OURS. He is not only OURS, We are HIS.
“Our Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed...”: such a silence – generating description of the reign of darkness. It was at night. It happened in the darkness of the night. It happened at a time usually devoted to finding rest for tired bodies and dried up spirits.
“On the night He was betrayed...”: there would be no rest for the Saviour that night. There would be no soothing words for the entire duration of the agony-filled night. The day’s troublesome scenarios became troublesome realities that night.
“On the night He was betrayed...”: It was all the more painful because a friend led it. Of course, only a friend can betray another. The harm inflicted by an arrogant enemy is called an assault. The harm inflicted by one knight to another in an even contest is called honourable defeat. Only the harm inflicted by a friend may properly be called a betrayal. “On the night He was betrayed...”
It was even more painful that the betrayal took place at the time and place devoted to prayer. They were there to pray. They were there to seek the face of God. However, in the darkness of the night, it was the face of the betrayer that would appear and with a kiss that humanity would never forget, identified the Lord to those who came to arrest Him.
“Our Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks...” Such majestic attitude! Such a sublime demonstration of spirituality! Betrayed, and yet, He gave thanks! Betrayed, and yet He would not forget the giver – The Father in heaven. Betrayed, and yet He would not neglect the duties of relationship – He had to say thank you to the Father.
“Our Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks...” He took bread. He would give nothing less than His own life. He took bread. He would love by giving up His own life. He took bread. Nothing else would suffice. His finest gift was His own life. He gave all and He gave everything. He gave fully for you and for me.
