The Last Supper and Jesus' Betrayer

[LeahPaz]

I was thinking about this recently. What is the spiritual significance behind Jesus saying to his disciples at that time, before they ate the Last Supper, that one of them would betray him? Why did he reveal it at that at that particular time? Does it have to do with the fact that we should examine ourselves and confess our sins before taking communion?

Does it have to do with the fact that partaking of the Holy Communion, the Eucharist, will bring judgement upon those who partake in an unworthy manner? Or is there more to it than that? What are the connections between the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, who takes away the sins of the world, and the judgement of the world?

 

[powerless]

Wow…nice insight and question(s).

I think the former (we should examine ourselves and confess our sins before receiving the Eucharist) more than the later (to bring judgement upon those partaking in an unworthy manner).

But, perhaps, both.

The fathers of Alexandria would love your observation!

Peace and all good!

 

[1Lord1Faith]

Or is there more to it than that?

I don’t think it has much if anything to do with confessing or examining before receiving. There is nothing that states Judas ate the bread that Jesus gave him.

I think it’s just something that Jesus needed to say. I think it has to do with Judas not believing that Jesus was the Messiah. Belief in Christ’s divinity is an important first step in understanding the Eucharist. Maybe Jesus needed to point out that even though the Father had drawn Judas, Judas still betrayed Jesus. This revelation is also made clear in Jn 6.

 

[Dan_Defender]

Well remember when Jesus said that Judas was present. So to me because God is merciful, Jesus was giving him a last chance to repent. And after Jesus was sentenced to crucifixion, Judas must have remembered this, but even then, instead of repenting and turning his life around St Paul style, he fell into despair and killed himself. It is all a lesson in repentance.

 

[LeahPaz]

I don’t think it has much if anything to do with confessing or examining before receiving. There is nothing that states Judas ate the bread that Jesus gave him.

I think it’s just something that Jesus needed to say. I think it has to do with Judas not believing that Jesus was the Messiah. Belief in Christ’s divinity is an important first step in understanding the Eucharist. Maybe Jesus needed to point out that even though the Father had drawn Judas, Judas still betrayed Jesus. This revelation is also made clear in Jn 6.

Well, the reason I thought about confession and self examination before receiving is because when Jesus told them they wondered who it could be, and said here in the account of Mark:

«They began to be distressed and to say to him, one by one, “Surely it is not I?”»
‭‭Mark‬ ‭14:19‬ ‭NABRE‬‬

Mark 14:19 They began to be distressed and to say to him, one by one, “Surely it is not I?” | New American Bible, revised edition (NABRE) | Download The Bible App Now

They began to be distressed and to say to him, one by one, “Surely it is not I?”

www.bible.com

So maybe it has to do more with self examination but to me that leads to confession as well. Like in Psalm 139, King David said:

«Probe me, God, know my heart; try me, know my thoughts. See if there is a wicked path in me; lead me along an ancient path.»
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139:23-24‬ ‭NABRE‬‬

Psalms 139:23-24 Probe me, God, know my heart; try me, know my thoughts. See if there is a wicked path in me; lead me along an ancient path. | New American Bible, revised edition (NABRE) | Download The Bible App Now

Probe me, God, know my heart; try me, know my thoughts. See if there is a wicked path in me; lead me along an ancient path.

www.bible.com

If I can know where I have gone wrong then I can repent of it.

That is interesting and certainly true what you said about Judas not believing in Jesus divinity. The root of the sin of his betrayal… if he had believed in Jesus divinity, he would not have considered betraying him.

 

[Francis]

@LeahPaz

I was thinking about this recently. What is the spiritual significance behind Jesus saying to his disciples at that time, before they ate the Last Supper, that one of them would betray him?

Because it was the appointed time the Father has decided .In many places Jesus says my hour has not yet come,so it was the Father’s will to choose the time to fulfill the redemption of Man.am sure Jesus wept at the state of the soul of Judas Wisdom 1:13 because God did not make death,and he does not delight in the death of the living. John 13:27 27 After he received the piece of bread,Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “Do quickly what you are going to do.” satan entered him because he was in a state of grievous mortal sins ,so we too should be careful before we receive the holy Eucharistic this also signifies Jesus is truly present in the form of the bread and wine in the Eucharistic

Does it have to do with the fact that we should examine ourselves and confess our sins before taking communion?

yes, its an example for us all, we should be in a state of Grace or be well prepared to receive Jesus that is we shouldn’t be in in the state of grave sins or mortal sins. during Mass we say the i confess prayer as an act of (penitential rite) and an examination of conscience ,and confession our sins if they are mortal sin in the sacrament of confession.

Does it have to do with the fact that partaking of the Holy Communion, the Eucharist, will bring judgement upon those who partake in an unworthy manner? Or is there more to it than that?

yes it does

1 Corinthians 11:27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For all who eat and drink without discerning the body,eat and drink judgment against themselves. 30 For this reason many of you are weak and ill, and some have died(spiritual death).

What are the connections between the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, who takes away the sins of the world, and the judgement of the world?

Jesus is the (victim) Lamb of God takes away our sins during the sacrament of confession since he is also the high priest Hebrews 217 Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people.

Proverbs 28:13 No one who conceals transgressions will prosper, but one who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

Jesus is also the Divine Judge John 5:22 The Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son,

 

[Seagull]

Everybody was probably in high spirits - when Jesus dropped the bomb.
It’s a intense time - even at today’s mass - when the Priest says ’ he was betrayed "
I like how all the disciples looked about - is it I ? Is it me ?
It really could of been anyone -
Humans change their moods like the weather -

It sounded like Jesus was a Secret Agent / Spy -
I know Jesus couldn’t walk openly - his time had arrived -
maybe He didn’t need Judas at all - or his kiss -
but it was all to forfill / conclude the 30 pieces of silver scripture…

 

[Vico]

I was thinking about this recently. What is the spiritual significance behind Jesus saying to his disciples at that time, before they ate the Last Supper, that one of them would betray him? Why did he reveal it at that at that particular time? Does it have to do with the fact that we should examine ourselves and confess our sins before taking communion?

Does it have to do with the fact that partaking of the Holy Communion, the Eucharist, will bring judgement upon those who partake in an unworthy manner? Or is there more to it than that? What are the connections between the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, who takes away the sins of the world, and the judgement of the world?

The Lamb of God is both the sacrificial lamb to atone for sin and the suffering servant. He has made a new covenant with his own blood. Through love, Jesus Christ gave his life as a ransom for all men without exception and in his incarnate divine person he has in some way united himself to every man. However every person will not choose what will bring the final state of heaven.

The judgement is due since everything is ordered through Providence by wisdom and justice and it will be revealed to all in the Final Judgment.