The Communion Of Love Series

Text: Luke 22:14-20

Introduction:

The Triumphal Entry or Palm Sunday, Luke 19:29-40

The Triumphal Entry is that of Jesus coming into Jerusalem on what we know as Palm Sunday, the Sunday before the crucifixion (John 12:1, 12).

The Event known as The Triumphal Entry is found in all four Gospel accounts: (Matthew 21:1-17; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:29-40; John 12:12-19).

The Triumphal Entry was a significant event, fulfilling Biblical Prophecy. Important not only to the people of Jesus’ day, but to the Jewish people and Christians throughout history.

We celebrate Palm Sunday to remember that momentous occasion.

Christians celebrate another historic event, “The Lord’s Supper.”

NOTE: When His Hour Was Come! Luke 22:14

Later, after the events following The Triumphal Entry, Jesus met with His Disciple to partake of what we commonly refer to as “The Last Meal.

This was the Passover meal. The Jews participated in this to remember the great deliverance from Pharoah, when the Blood was painted over the door and the Death Angel “passed over” those who believed and obeyed, and thus they were saved from death.

It was after this meal that Jesus introduced The Lord’s Supper.

This marked the beginning of Christ’s Passion, his time of suffering, death for the sin of the world. All lead up to Christ’s glorious Resurrection on the third day!

The Lord’s Supper was also given as a special even to help Christians to Remember.

As they partook of the bread and wine Jesus explained what it meant and how it was to be celebrated.

The Lord’s Supper is like looking at a picture of someone. It is not the real person, but only a reflection of them.

Christ wants His children to look at it often to remember:

His great love for us as, He sacrifice for our sin, and His Second Coming.

Just prior to the Lord’s Supper, Judas covenants to betray Jesus.

We know that Jesus Christ, in fulfillment of the Scriptures, was betrayed into the hands of wicked men by His own familiar friend.

We know that as the “Spotless Lamb of God” He was led away to the slaughter, for the purpose to which He had consecrated Himself, the shedding of His blood for the putting away of sin.

We know that He faced the issue alone and was victorious over all Satanic attempts to turn Him from the divine purpose, and forsaken by His own, went forth to be slain.

Read Text: Luke 22:14-20

(14) And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. (15) And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: (16) For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. (17) And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: (18) For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. (19) And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. (20) Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

I. CHRIST’S COMMUNION SHOWED HIS INTENSE LOVE FOR US

Luke 22:15a

“With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you...”

WORD MEANING: Desire means to earnestly long for, and intense yearning for.

Consider some reasons Christ so desired to have this meal with them:

1. The need to reveal the true meaning of Passover.

2. The need for support of His own soul in the approaching struggle.

3. The need of comfort, meaning and encouragement for His disciples in the future.

4. The need to keep all Believer’s focused on the “End of the Story!”

HOW INTENSE WAS HIS LOVE?

He knew why He had come.

He had come to redeem the world through His blood.

He knew how He would suffer.

He had come to offer His body as a sacrifice!

Someone has referred to this as His “death-feast.”

A bitter-sweet moment.

He knew what he was giving to the Disciples and for all time!

This would provide a memorial to all Believers henceforth!

Why? Because it was a Communion of Love!

The power Hymn “Living he Loved Me,” reminds us of Christ’s Communion of Love:

Living he Loved Me

Dying he saved me

Buried He carried my

My sins far away

Rising he justified me

Freed me forever

One day He's coming back glorious day

II. CHRIST’S COMMUNION SHOWED HIS DESIRE FOR FELLOWSHIP WITH US

Luke 22:15b

“With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you…”