Deuteronomy 4-5, Psalm 63, Matthew 26:17-35, Romans 10 Matthew 26:17-35: Was ever love like this? Jesus prepares to eat the feast of Passover, and as he sits down at the meal, he tells them that one of them will betray him. He knows full well who it is—“You have said so” (26:25). And yet, out of love, Jesus goes like a lamb to the slaughter, to give himself for us. Love to the loveless shown. At this very meal, the communion of the Christian meal is instituted. The bread and the cup. “This is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (26:28). Was e’er such love as this? Not even his friends will stay by him. “You will all fall away because of me this night” (26:31). Peter is confident he will not, but his denial after the rooster crows, is also coming.

My song is love unknown, my Savior’s love to me. Love to the loveless shown, that they might lovely be. Oh, who am I that for my sake, oh, who am I that for my sake my Lord should take frail flesh and die? Here might I stay and sing of him my soul adores: never was love, dear King, never was grief like yours. This is my friend in whose sweet praise, this is my friend in whose sweet praise I all my days would gladly spend.