March 15, 2026
Before we partake of the memorial of our Lord’s death we are instructed to take some time for introspection. “Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.” 1 Corinthians 11:28
And so, this year we have set aside three Sunday meetings. The purpose is to use these meetings as a focus to think deeply and prepare our hearts to partake of the Memorial.
Discussion Questions:
As we review the events of our Lord’s supper and his trial in the garden of Gethsemane, we want to focus on two individuals, Peter and Judas. What lessons do we see? How do we apply these lessons to ourselves?
Peter
· Jesus washing his feet
· Sleeping at Gethsemane
· Cutting off the high priest’s servant’s ear
· Denial of the Lord
Judas
· Being handed the sop
· Betraying Jesus with a kiss
Discussion Summary:
The account of Jesus washing Peter’s feet is found in John 13:1-20. We see Peter’s evident love for his master, Jesus. But we also see his overconfidence. He needed this initial lesson in humility. For ourselves, the lesson is found in Philippians 2:4.
The account of Peter sleeping at Gethsemane is found in Matthew 26:36-46. We see in this a representation of Peter’s spiritual lethargy. He needed to watch and pray in order to prepare for the experiences about to take place. For ourselves, the lesson is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:5-8.
The account of Peter cutting off the high priest’s servant’s ear is found in Luke 22:49-51 and John 18:10,11. We see in this Peter’s misunderstanding that Jesus was giving up his life in sacrifice. Peter also misunderstood that Jesus wanted his servants to be like him. For ourselves, the lesson is found in John 18:36.
The account of Peter denying our Lord is found in Luke 22:54-62. We see that Peter’s inability to take the previous lessons to heart, resulted in him being unable to stand with Jesus. In a sense it is shocking to read that one of his most beloved denied him. This was a source of grief to Peter as we read in John 21:15-19. For ourselves, the lesson is found in 1 Corinthians 10:12.
The account of Judas being handed the sop is found in John 13:21-30 and Matthew 26:20-25. We see how this action, while it was usually seen as an indication of favor, was seen by Judas as a signal that Jesus knew he had already betrayed him. This rebuke given as an act of kindness seemed to completely harden Judas’s heart. For ourselves, the importance of this is found in Psalms 42:9-11.
The account of Judas betraying Jesus with a kiss is found in Matthew 26:47-50. We see in this act extreme hypocrisy and the ultimate betrayal. For ourselves, the importance of this is found in Matthew 26:24.
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