On the last day before crucifixion, Jesus was with His disciples; Matthew presents four elements of the King’s own preparation for His sacrificial death.
上十字架前的最后一夜，耶稣与祂的门徒同在。马太呈现了君王为祂自己牺牲舍命之预备所做的四项工作。
- The Final Passover 最后的逾越节 (26:17-25)
The Passover celebration marks the first day of the combined feast with the feast of the Unleavened Bread. This central feast of the Jewish year commemorates the deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage. Sacrificial lambs were slaughtered in the temple, to be taken with unleavened bread, wine, bitter herbs and the dip for the Passover meal. After preparation, Jesus and His disciples gathered for His final meal and he mentioned His betrayal for the first time. Although God used Judas’ betrayal to fulfill prophecy (cf. John 13:18), the Lord made clear that it is Judas himself must be responsible for his own action.
逾越节的庆祝就是与无酵节联合庆祝会的首日。这是犹太人最重要的节日，纪念的是以色列脱离埃及的束缚。羔羊在殿里被宰杀，且在逾越节餐中与无酵饼、酒、苦菜和蘸酱同吃。预备完毕后，耶稣与祂的门徒为祂的最后一餐聚集，而耶稣也首次提及祂将被出卖。虽然神藉着犹大的背叛应验预言（参：约13:18），但主清除指明犹大将为他自己的所作所为全权负责。
- The First Lord’s Supper 首个圣餐 (26:26-30)
After Judas’ departure, Jesus ended the Passover feast and instituted a new memorial to Himself. They would not look back to a lamb in Egypt as the symbol of God’s redeeming love and but to the very Lamb of God, who, by the sacrificial shedding of His own blood, took away the sins of the world. This memorial is to continue until the future kingdom comes (cf. 1 Cor. 11:23-26), when He will drink it new with believers. Jesus concluded the first supper with the singing of a hymn.
犹大离开后，耶稣结束了逾越节的筵席，为自己设立了一个新纪念形式。他们不再需要回首那埃及的羔羊为神的救赎之爱，而是仰望神羔羊自己——祂流了自己的血，担当了普天下人的罪。这纪念会一直延续，直到未来的国度降临（参：林前1:23-26）。那时，祂将与信徒喝新的了。唱诗后，耶稣便总结了第一个圣餐。
Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告
- The disciples were sitting together with the Passover Lamb yet they do not know it. Pray that the Lord open our eyes and treasure the moment we have with Jesus.
门徒正与神羔羊同座，但他们却不知。祈求神会开启我们的眼，让我们珍惜与耶稣的每一个时光。
- When they were having the Passover meal Jesus became very sorrowful because of the cross is imminent. Yet the disciples will not sensitive to him. Even after Jesus told them one of them will betrayed him, they are so self-centered focusing on themselves asking, “Is it I?” They are not sensitive to Jesus to share his burden at all. What about you? Are you sensitive to Jesus? Or are you only busy with your agenda in life?
当众门徒享用逾越节筵席时，耶稣变得忧愁，因为十字架已近。然而，他们却不以为然。即便耶稣说他们其中一人将出卖祂，他们关注的仍是自己，问道：“是我吗？”他们不在乎耶稣的感受，不愿担当耶稣的重担。我们呢？你是否对耶稣敏感，或仅为自己的生命忙碌？
- The communion service not only signified the death and cleansing of Jesus but it also gives us hope. The hope that Jesus will return one day. Jesus said, “I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” (Mt. 26:29) Pray that we will eagerly prepare ourselves to eat and drink with Jesus on that day.
圣餐不但是耶稣之死与洁净的象征，它也给我们带来盼望——耶稣某日会再来。耶稣说：“但我告诉你们：从今以后，我不再喝这葡萄汁，直到我在我父的国里同你们喝新的那日子”（26:29）。祈求我们会积极地预备自己，在那日与耶稣同吃同喝。
