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 of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God shall come” (Luke 22:17-18). 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” (John 13:21). 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?” (Matthew 26:22). 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 unto that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It had been good for that man if he had not been born” (vv. 23-24). 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?” (John 13:25). Jesus answered: “He it is to whom I shall give a sop when I have dipped it” (v. 26a).  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?” (Matthew 26:25). Jesus answered him: “Thou hast said” (v. 25b). And after the sop, Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him: “That Thou doest, do quickly” (John 13:27). 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 (vv. 28-30).

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 (John 10:27-28), 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 confidently look to Him to keep you, then He will surely do so. You may safely depend on Him; He is your “Refuge and Strength, a very present Help in trouble; therefore will not we fear” (Psalm 46:1-2).

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

Let me never, Lord, forsake Thee, e’en tho’ bitter pain and strife,

on my way shall overtake me; but may I, thro’ 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, st. 2; TLH)