On the Night He Was Betrayed | Northlands Church

On the Night He Was Betrayed

March 20, 2018 | Terry Mitchell

On the Night He Was Betrayed

by: Terry Mitchell

Jesus, the perfect sacrifice provided the full, finished release from all of our betrayals.

"Let me go over with you again exactly what goes on in the Lord’s Supper and why it is so centrally important. I received my instructions from the Master himself and passed them on to you. The Master, Jesus, on the night of his betrayal, took bread…. After supper, he did the same thing with the cup…. " 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 MSG

For over 60 years I have heard these words read in various ways and forms as central to a communion service. My focus has usually been on the elements of the bread and the cup, of the broken body and the costly blood. Recently though, my thoughts have focused “on the night of his betrayal.”

Betrayals usually happen among families, friends, or in the least allies, and is a deeply painful breaking of trust. Betrayal is where faith, hope, and love are so badly shaken or lost that for some these qualities of life are never fully regained. Betrayal seems to happen suddenly but is actually a progression of turnings, away from promises, away from rich fellowship, away from abiding love. Betrayal is a harsh breaker of relationships.

“On the night of his betrayal,” Jesus presented offered his own body to be broken that we who have been shattered by betrayal might find rest and comfort in him for our broken hearts and broken lives.

“All praises belong to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he is the Father of tender mercy and the God of endless comfort.” 2 Corinthians 1:3

“On the night of his betrayal,” Jesus offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for all betrayals – past, present and future.

“But when this Priest had offered the one supreme sacrifice for sin for all time he sat down on a throne at the right hand of God,....And by his one perfect sacrifice he made us perfectly holy and complete for all time!” Hebrews 10:12 and 14

“On the night of his betrayal,” Jesus restored us into his fellowship of faith, hope, and love. He is acquainted with personal betrayal and in himself offers us the answers to our own betrayal.

“Until then, there are three things that remain: faith, hope, and love—yet love surpasses them all. So above all else, let love be the beautiful prize for which you run.” 1 Corinthians 13:13

When you next take the Lord’s Supper remember the “night of his betrayal” as your full, finished release from all of your own betrayals.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I am needy of the freedom from betrayals that your supreme sacrifice purchased for me.  I ask full release from the pain and torment and brokenness betrayal has worked within my life.  I accept now in communion with you, my full restoration into faith, hope, and love.
Amen.

© 2024 Northlands Church and Terry Mitchell. Permission to share so long as credit is given.