1. Matthew
26:17-25

2. “Lord, is it I?” A need for honest self-examination
Matthew 26:17-25
A need for honest self-examination
“This above all: to thine own self be true” - Shakespeare
2 Corinthians 13:5; Psalm 139:23-24; James 1:23-25
Important lessons from this example of Jesus and apostles

3. “Lord, is it I?” A need for honest self-examination
Matthew 26:17-25
A need for honest self-examination
From the apostles, being accused of betrayal:
Proper Response: “Lord, is it I?” [v. 22]
all of the apostles wanted to know who [Lk 22:21-23]
none of the apostles asked, “Lord, is it Judas?”
serving Christ involves individual responsibility
in the body, each member has vital role [1 Co 12:14ff]
Foot [v. 15]
Hand [v. 15]
Ear [v. 16]
Eye [v. 16]
Hearing [v. 17]
Smelling [v. 17]
Head [v. 21]
“…if one member suffers, all the members suffer… or if
one member is honored, all the members rejoice…” [v. 26]
“…that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.” [v. 25]

4. “Lord, is it I?” A need for honest self-examination
Matthew 26:17-25
A need for honest self-examination
From the apostles, being accused of betrayal:
Proper Response: “Lord, is it I?” [v. 22]
all of the apostles wanted to know who [Lk 22:21-23]
none of the apostles asked, “Lord, is it Judas?”
serving Christ involves individual responsibility
in the body, each member has vital role [1 Co 12:14ff]
each member must be growing strong in order to:
help edify the whole body [Eph 4:14-16]
weak members weaken the whole body, requiring
constant attention and energy from others while
contributing less energy to proper body function

5. “Lord, is it I?” A need for honest self-examination
Matthew 26:17-25
A need for honest self-examination
From the apostles, being accused of betrayal:
Proper Response: “Lord, is it I?” [v. 22]
all of the apostles wanted to know who [Lk 22:21-23]
none of the apostles asked, “Lord, is it Judas?”
serving Christ involves individual responsibility
in the body, each member has vital role [1 Co 12:14ff]
each member must be growing strong in order to:
help edify the whole body [Eph 4:14-16]
truly serve the Lord [1 Pt 2:1; Cl 1:9-12; Hb 5:12-14]
cannot “coast” along; will end up drifting away
[cp. Hb 2:1!]

6. “Lord, is it I?” A need for honest self-examination
Matthew 26:17-25
A need for honest self-examination
From the apostles, being accused of betrayal:
Proper Response: “Lord, is it I?” [v. 22]
all of the apostles wanted to know who [Lk 22:21-23]
none of the apostles asked, “Lord, is it Judas?”
serving Christ involves individual responsibility
in the body, each member has vital role [1 Co 12:14ff]
each member must be growing strong
when problems arise, first issue is not accusation, but
self-examination [Jude 17-21]
“Am I part of the problem or part of the solution?”

7. “Lord, is it I?” A need for honest self-examination
Matthew 26:17-25
A need for honest self-examination
From the apostles, being accused of betrayal:
Proper Response: “Lord, is it I?” [v. 22]
Proper Attitude: “…exceedingly sorrowful” [v. 22]
happy occasion of Passover, but sad news
as their hearts are tuned to God’s deliverance, Jesus
tells them He will be “delivered up” [cp. 26:2]

8. “Lord, is it I?” A need for honest self-examination
Matthew 26:17-25
A need for honest self-examination
“But sanctify
Christ as Lord
in your hearts”
1 Pet 3:15
From the apostles, being accused of betrayal:
Proper Response: “Lord, is it I?” [v. 22]
Proper Attitude: “…exceedingly sorrowful” [v. 22]
happy occasion of Passover, but sad news
they are saddened to think that one of them could be
responsible for betraying Jesus
cp. Judas:
“Rabbi, is it I?”
Matt. 26:25
He is their friend; they love Him
it is difficult to imagine betraying a beloved friend
yet some do “betray” Christ! [Hb 6:4-6; 10:28-29]
easy to do when “church” or “religion” is focus;
we must know, love and serve Jesus as Lord

9. “Lord, is it I?” A need for honest self-examination
Matthew 26:17-25
A need for honest self-examination
From the apostles, being accused of betrayal:
Proper Response: “Lord, is it I?” [v. 22]
Proper Attitude: “…exceedingly sorrowful” [v. 22]
happy occasion of Passover, but sad news
they are saddened to think that one of them could be
responsible for betraying Jesus
cp. Peter denying Jesus [Mk 14:29-31; Lk 22:61-62]
see also Gl 2:11-13; 2 Pt 3:15; 2 Co 7:9-11
Peter doesn’t argue with or rebuff Paul; he repents
his sin was between himself and Jesus; Paul was a
“beloved brother” who helped him! [Jm 5:19-20]

10. “Lord, is it I?” A need for honest self-examination
Matthew 26:17-25
A need for honest self-examination
From the apostles, being accused of betrayal:
Proper Response: “Lord, is it I?” [v. 22]
Proper Attitude: “…exceedingly sorrowful” [v. 22]
Proper Source of Aid: “Lord, is it I?” [v. 22]
they trusted He knew their hearts better than they did
our response to His word tells us about ourselves
[cp. Hb 4:12; Jn 14:15, – Do we love Him?]
we must allow the Lord to judge and guide our hearts
[cp. Cl 3:16; Ph 4:6-7]
if in error, He is our only hope to change [cp. Rm 12:2;
2 Tm 2: “if God…will grant…repentance”]

11. “Lord, is it I?” A need for honest self-examination
Matthew 26:17-25
A need for honest self-examination
From the apostles, being accused of betrayal:
Proper Response: “Lord, is it I?” [v. 22]
Proper Attitude: “…exceedingly sorrowful” [v. 22]
Proper Source of Aid: “Lord, is it I?” [v. 22]
From Jesus, bringing an accusation:
Proper Rebuke: “…one of you will betray Me” [v. 21]
though our sins affect other people, it’s the Lord who is
truly betrayed by our sins [not “church”, “elders”, etc.]
If we are to help correct an erring Christian, it
must be on the basis of their sinning against God!
[cp. Gn 39:9; Ps 51:4(!); Mt 18:15(25:41-45); Ac 9:4]
“open shame”; “trampled underfoot” [Heb 6; 10]
Acts 1:21-22; not an issue of hurt feelings, but a need
to continue with the Lord’s work!

12. “he who turns a sinner from the error of his way”
“Lord, is it I?”
Matthew 26:17-25
A need for honest self-examination
“he who turns a sinner from the error of his way”
James 5:19-20
From the apostles, being accused of betrayal:
Proper Response: “Lord, is it I?” [v. 22]
Proper Attitude: “…exceedingly sorrowful” [v. 22]
Proper Source of Aid: “Lord, is it I?” [v. 22]
From Jesus, bringing an accusation:
Proper Rebuke: “…one of you will betray Me” [v. 21]
Proper Motive: “woe to that man…” [v. 24]
Jesus’ exposing this sin had two purposes:
bring about repentance in the one sinning
Jesus repeatedly offered Judas chances to repent
[Mt 26:24-25; John 13:21-30; Mk 8:31; 9:31; 10:33-34]

13. “Lord, is it I?” A need for honest self-examination
Matthew 26:17-25
A need for honest self-examination
“a little leaven leavens the whole lump”
1 Cor 5:6;
1 Tim 5:20;
2 Tim 2:24-26
From the apostles, being accused of betrayal:
Proper Response: “Lord, is it I?” [v. 22]
Proper Attitude: “…exceedingly sorrowful” [v. 22]
Proper Source of Aid: “Lord, is it I?” [v. 22]
From Jesus, bringing an accusation:
Proper Rebuke: “…one of you will betray Me” [v. 21]
Proper Motive: “woe to that man…” [v. 24]
Jesus’ exposing this sin had two purposes:
Thus, the exhortation: “you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness” [Gal 6:1]
Proper motive of concern for souls involved is essential!
bring about repentance in the one sinning
edify and teach those who were not sinning
Jn 13:18-19; Mk 14:27-28 {Lk 22:31-34; Jn 21:15-19}

14. “Lord, is it I?” A need for honest self-examination
Matthew 26:17-25
A need for honest self-examination
From the apostles, being accused of betrayal:
Proper Response: “Lord, is it I?” [v. 22]
Proper Attitude: “…exceedingly sorrowful” [v. 22]
Proper Source of Aid: “Lord, is it I?” [v. 22]
From Jesus, bringing an accusation:
Proper Rebuke: “…one of you will betray Me” [v. 21]
Proper Motive: “woe to that man…” [v. 24]
Any true service to the Lord will begin with our own steadfastness, but will also be zealous for the spiritual well-being of the others who are serving alongside us!

15. “Lord, is it I?”