That Final Night - A Night Of Misunderstanding Series

21 But behold, the hand of him who betrays Me is with Me on the table. 22 For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!" 23 And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this. 24 A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25 And He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves. 28 "You are those who have stayed with Me in My trials, 29 and I assign to you, as My Father assigned to Me, a kingdom, 30 that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

21 But behold, the hand of him who betrays Me is with Me on the table.

v.21 – Jesus has already on several occasions mentioned that He will be betrayed and turned over to the authorities and would be put to death. In this verse Jesus makes the even MORE startling announcement… that the man who is going to betray Him is sitting at the table with Him right at that moment!

22 For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!"

v. 22 – This verse lends credence to those who hold to the double-predestination belief that God has chosen [predestined] both ALL who will go to heaven and ALL who will go to hell. Their premise is that this man who is going to betray Jesus would fall into the 2nd category! On reason they say this is the word Jesus uses here for this man… “WOE”…

Defining WOE we read that it means:

1 - a serious affliction or misfortune

2 – Grief or distress resulting from a serious affliction or misfortune

Another word for WOE in our English language is the word anguish, which represents great pain and suffering, so this man is headed for great pain and suffering.

23 And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this.

Now I want you to imagine the murmur that raced thru the room when Jesus said what He said in v.22. Betray Him? Who would do such a thing, surely not one of us… first each man would have cleared himself, and then suspicions began to arise in their hearts about their fellow disciples… that is when all things started to come to a head…

24 A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.

We can see here that in this moment of doubt and confusion, the flesh took over for these men… I can imagine it going something like this:

Peter – I can’t imagine anyone betraying you Lord, I know its not going to be me!

James – Well I can’t understand why anyone would do such a terrible thing, I know that you can trust me Jesus.

John – James, He knows He can trust the both of us, we have always been there for Him. We would never do such a terrible thing.

Andrew – What do you mean YOU? We have been with Him too, He can trust US too! After all, I was the first to follow Him, He can trust me the most!

Peter – Andrew your are right, You were the first and I was the 2nd to follow Him, we are His most trusted disciples!

Nathaniel – Now just wait a cotton-pickin minute here Peter!! Who told you that? Did Jesus say that? NO! I believe I am the ONE he can truly trust, after all He said that I had no deceit in my mouth…

Before long it became a shouting match and I can just imagine Jesus hanging His head for a moment, wondering if these men had learned anything over the past 3 ½ years He had led them…

Before long it became a shouting match and I can just imagine Jesus hanging His head for a moment, wondering if these men had learned anything over the past 3 ½ years He had led them…

25 And He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.