“This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table.” Luke 22:20-21 NIV
This morning, in preparation for Communion Sabbath at our church, I reread the story of the Last Supper in Luke 22. As I read I was struck by something remarkable.
Right after Jesus offers His disciples the cup of “the new covenant in my blood,” He says something unexpected. Looking around the table He says, “But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table.”
In spite of the fact Jesus knew Judas was going to betray Him, He washed his feet, shared the bread with him, and drank from the same cup of wine. Right up to the last Jesus was doing all He could to woo Judas back to Him, offering Him friendship, love, and forgiveness. How Jesus’ heart must have ached as Judas turned his back on Him for the final time and went out into the night.
As tragic as this story is, it offers us hope. Jesus pulled out all the stops to save Judas. He does the same for you and I. No matter how awful our sins or how often we have rejected Him in the past, Jesus stands ready at this moment to wash away our sins. No matter how dark our past, He offers us the Bread of Life and the Cup of Forgiveness.
We, like Judas, have betrayed Him, yet today He stands with hand outstretched, pleading for us to come to Him.
Jesus longs for us to accept His free gift of eternal life in exchange for our “threescore years and ten.” Instead of a measly 30 pieces of silver, He offers us the riches of Heaven.
In the face of our overwhelming guilt, He promises, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” Isaiah 1:18.
Today, the table is set. The bread is served. The wine is poured. Come and eat.
You need not wash your feet before you come, for He will wash your soul.
You need not cleanse your heart, for He will replace your heart of stone with a heart of flesh.
You need not change your clothes, for He will clothe you in the robe of His righteousness. You don’t need to change a thing, for He makes all things new.
Judas missed his chance. He left the table, choosing the night over the Light. Don’t you do the same.
Come, sit at the table. There’s always room for more. You need not bring a thing. Just come. Come today!
God bless and Happy Sabbath!