All That Jesus Taught (Bible Study – 73 of 80) - Zac Poonen
Summary
The speaker continues the study of what Jesus taught, emphasizing that even seemingly small actions commanded by God, like keeping the Passover, should be obeyed. He draws lessons from the disciples' reaction to the betrayal, noting their self-examination, and contrasts this with Judas's betrayal for money. The central message is that a commitment to Jesus, symbolized by breaking bread, requires a profound dedication that supersedes any worldly gain.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Why did Jesus keep the Passover?The Passover was an ordained feast to remember Israel's deliverance from Egypt. Even though it was a ritual without inherent moral value, Jesus obeyed it because it was commanded by God, much like baptism or the breaking of bread.
Opening our homes to the LordJesus boldly asked a man in Jerusalem for a room to keep the Passover, showing the beauty of being totally available to the Lord's requests in our lives and homes.
Lord, is it I?When Jesus announces that one of them will betray Him, the disciples do not point fingers at others but instead grieve and ask if it could be themselves, modeling true self-judgment.
The terrible seriousness of betrayalEating bread with someone was a binding pact of loyalty in ancient Middle Eastern culture, making Judas's betrayal of Jesus for money an intensely severe crime.
Betraying Jesus for moneyServing money instead of God leads believers to deny Christ through their actions for earthly gain, making it better for that person if they had never been born.
The hypocrisy of JudasJudas masked his secret betrayal with pious language, asking if it was him just like the other disciples, illustrating the dangers of hypocrisy and the love of money in the church.
What does the broken bread symbolize?The broken bread represents Jesus's body, specifically the constant breaking of His own human will to always do the will of His Father.
Cleansed by the blood of the New CovenantThe cup symbolizes the blood poured out for the total cleansing of sins, moving believers away from the old idea of merely being covered by blood to experiencing true inward cleansing.
Commitment to Christ and His bodyBreaking bread together signifies a dual commitment to walk the way Jesus walked and to be fully bound to the other members of His body.
Proclaiming the Lord's death until He comesThe Lord's supper looks backward to Christ's death on the cross and forward to His second coming and the future establishment of His father's kingdom.1 Corinthians 11:26
Facing the cross with a hymnJesus and His disciples walked to the Mount of Olives singing praise, showing that walking the way of the cross is not a gloomy path of death, but a life of trust in God's perfect plan.
The shepherd struck and the sheep scatteredQuoting Zechariah, Jesus foretells that all the disciples will fall away that night because the devil always seeks to strike the shepherds, causing the flock to scatter.
