Jesus Repeatedly Announced His Impending Death! John 2:18-21 John 3:14. Matthew 16:21. Matthew 17: Matthew 20:18-19.

“ Lord, Is It I?” Matthew 26:20-23 V. 20: “Now when the even was come, He sat down with the twelve.” V. 21. “And as they did eat, He said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. V.22. “And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto Him, Lord is it I? V. 23. “And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.

Matthew 26:24-25 V. 24. “The Son of man goeth as it is written of Him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It had been good for that man if he had not been born. V. 25. “Then Judas, which betrayed Him, answered and said, Master is it I? He said unto him. Thou hast said.” Parallel References: Mark 14:18-20; Luke 22:21-23; John 13:21-27.

A Startling Announcement! Matt. 26:21: “ One of you shall betray me!” Imagine what would be our response if the Lord, just after we observed the Lord’s Supper, were to appear before this assembly and say, “Verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me!”

The Varied Response of the Disciples: Matt. 26:22. “They were exceedingly sorrowful..” John 13:22, “the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom He spake. John 13:23. Peter beckoned to John and urged him to “ask who it was of whom he spake.” Matt. 26:22. Initially “every one of them” began to say, “ Lord, is it I?”

Observations: The Disciples to whom Jesus spake were a select group of men. Matt. 10:1-4, chosen early in his ministry. Went on Limited commission, Mt. 10:5-7. They had witnessed many miracles. Peter had already confessed that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the living God,” Matt. 16:16. They did not began by accusing each other; each said, “ Lord, is it I?”

Fact: There are Times When We Should ask, “ Lord, is it I ?” Because, it is possible for one to “think himself to be something when he is nothing,” Gal. 6:2. Because it is possible for one to “think of himself more highly than he ought to think,” Rom. 12:2. Because most people spend a lot of time judging others. Because we are commanded to “examine” ourselves, 2 Corinthians 13:5.

Some Occasions When We Should ask, “ Lord, is it I ? When it relates to sins of Commission, Exodus 20:12-17; Matt. 5:28; I John 3:15. When it relates to sins of Omission, James 4:17. Have I : –Neglected to give as I should, I Cor. 16:2? –Failed to attend as I should, Heb. 10:25? –Failed to study as I should, 2 Tim. 2:15? –Failed to pray as I ought, I Thess. 5:17? –Failed to be the proper example, I Tim. 4:12? –Neglected to share the gospel, 2 Tim. 2:2?

This Question – as it Relates To the Local Church “ Lord, is it I ” who is at fault when the local church seems cold and unfriendly? –To have friends we must show ourselves friendly, Prov. 18:24. “ Lord, is it I ” who is at fault when brethren are discouraged? –Be a Barnabas! Acts 4:36; 9:26-27; 11:23. –Don’t be like the ten unfaithful spies!

This Question as It Relates to The Local Church (con’t) “ Lord, is it I ” who is at fault if the Bible classes fail to accomplish their intended purpose? –Teachers need to be prepared, Prov. 15:28. –People need to be present! –Students need to be prepared, Prov. 15:28. –Students should be ready to make the necessary changes in their lives as they learn the scriptures, Acts 2:37!

This Question as it relates to The Local church (con’t) “ Lord, is it I” who is at fault when the unity of the local church is threatened? –There must be unity of understanding, Eph. 4:4-6; Amos 3:3! –But many “splits” have occurred when brethren were in doctrinal agreement! Unity is threatened when: Brethren do not resolve personal differences! People murmur and complain, I Cor. 10:10. Brethren are not knit together in love! Col. 2:2

Conclusion: There are many occasions in life when people should sincerely ask, “ Lord, is it I ?” There may be those in this assembly who need to “respond to the invitation.” Judas responded in the wrong way to the Lord’s words, John 13:30, and later returned leading the enemy to Jesus, John 18:3! In Acts 13:46 some judged themselves “unworthy of eternal life!” Don’t make that mistake! Come to Jesus on His terms !