Matthew 26:14-25

Lectio (Reading)

Read the passage twice and get a sense of what it is saying. Pay attention to what strikes you.

One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot,
went to the chief priests and said,
“What are you willing to give me
if I hand him over to you?”
They paid him thirty pieces of silver,
and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread,
the disciples approached Jesus and said,
“Where do you want us to prepare
for you to eat the Passover?”
He said,
“Go into the city to a certain man and tell him,
‘The teacher says, “My appointed time draws near;
in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples.””‘
The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered,
and prepared the Passover.

When it was evening,
he reclined at table with the Twelve.
And while they were eating, he said,
“Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”
Deeply distressed at this,
they began to say to him one after another,
“Surely it is not I, Lord?”
He said in reply,
“He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me
is the one who will betray me.
The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him,
but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed.
It would be better for that man if he had never been born.”
Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply,
“Surely it is not I, Rabbi?”
He answered, “You have said so.”

Meditatio (Reflecting)

Slowly read the passage again, pausing on words or phrases that stands out. Take time to consider the meaning. particularly in your life.

Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The teacher says, “My appointed time draws near; in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples.”‘

Oratio (Responding)

Read the passage again, slowly. Consider how God has spoken to you and respond back to Him. You may want to consider how this passage is asking you to act differently.

This reading is a bit enigmatic.  The instruction to “go tell a certain man” seems mysterious and odd. John Bergsma in his book “Jesus and the Dead Sea scrolls” sheds light on all this in a way that I have never heard before. He explained that this “man” was likely the apostle Mark, and when you combine this reading with the other accounts of the passion from the other gospels, everything starts to become much more clear.

This story is wrapped around the essene community, and it is widely believed that mark was an Essene, and that he was a disciple of John the Baptist. In the gospel of Mark there is also a reference to a young man who when the Romans tried grab, had his white cloak was pulled off him and he ran away naked. This too is understood to be Mark as well.

The exegesis of the last supper is then extended to the providers of the upper room. This place, is widely believed to be the upper room in Mark’s Parent’s house. Marks mother is mentioned at another point in the gospels, and it is clear here that she is the host of this passover meal.

The Way Bergsma puts all of this together is fascinating, and he sheds light on so many of the confusing and seemingly contradictory things in the various passion narratives…, it well worth the read, and is a testament to how true it all is. Never have I ever heard a teaching that even if disturbing did not make perfect sense to me when it was explained in the context of the ancient Jewish people.

This is what is so wonderful about your word, God, it is alive and speaks to us a every stage of our lives. I want to continue to learn and deepen my understanding of you and your faith. Please lord give me a long life so I can learn and teach your word to as many people as you will place in my life.

Contemplatio (Contemplating)

Take time to simply remain in the presence of God.

Resolutio (Resolving)

Make a resolution that will improve your life, your relationships, or your faith. Make it small and attainable, and do it.

Oh lord, I ask that you bring into my life a mechanism or people that can use me to help extend your kingdom. I love you, and I want to teach the whole world about you, please help me find a way to do that.