Quinquagesima Week – Tuesday

Lord, is it I? – Matthew 26:22

Now they ate the Passover. And after the blessing Jesus broke the bread for His disciples. And He also took the cup, and gave thanks, and said: “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God shall come.”

And while they were eating, He was troubled in His spirit and said: “Verily, verily, I say unto you that one of you shall betray me.” Then the disciples looked at each other, and not knowing of whom He spake, they said to Him one by one: “Lord, is it I?” He said to them: “He that dippeth his hand with Me in the dish, the same shall betray Me. The Son of Man indeed goeth as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! Good were it for that man if he had never been born.”

John, whom Jesus loved, sat next to Jesus, leaning on His bosom. To him Peter beckoned that he should ask who it was of whom Jesus spoke. John said to Jesus: “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered: “He it is to whom I shall give a sop when I have dipped it.” And when he dipped the sop, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. This man then said shamelessly: “Master is it I?” Jesus answered him: “Thou hast said.” And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him: “That Thou doest, do quickly.”

The other disciples did not understand what Jesus meant when He spoke to Judas. Judas then, having received the sop, went out straightway. And it was night (Luke 22:17-18; John 13:21-32; Matthew 26:21-25).

Woe unto Judas! Woe to every disciple that betrays his Lord by falling away! Christian, you must not doubt that you will remain constant in faith and will enter heaven. But you must not ground your constancy and eternal blessedness on your own strength.

John writes in his epistle, “If our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things” (I John 3:20). When looking upon yourself, your heart and mouth may tremblingly ask, “Is it I?” But when you thus address yourself to the Lord, and anxiously look to Him to keep you, then He will surely do so.

You may safely depend on Him.He is your “refuge and strength” (Psalm 46:1a).

PRAYER – Lord Jesus, help me and keep me from Satan and from the wiles of my own heart. I cannot remain true to Thee; I cannot obtain eternal salvation unless Thou sustain me. Therefore I call upon Thee to help me. My eyes look confidently to Thee. Thou will not allow me to be put to shame. I rely upon Thee, my merciful Savior. Amen.

Praise to Thee and adoration, blessed Jesus, Son of God;
who, to serve Thine own creation, didst partake of flesh and blood.
Teach me that I never may, from Thy fold or pastures stray;
but with zeal and joy exceeding, follow where Thy steps are leading.

—

Let me never, Lord, forsake Thee, e’en though bitter pain and strife,
on my way shall overtake me; but may I through all my life,
walk in fervent love to Thee, in all woes for comfort flee,
to Thy birth, Thy death, and Passion, till I see Thy full salvation.

Hymn 401, vv. 1, 2

Quinquagesima Week – Tuesday PDF Print Edition

Scripture Reading: Matthew 11:25-30