Born To Die Part 1 Series

JUST JESUS: CHAPTER BY CHAPTER THRU LUKE

Born to Die Part 1 of 3

LUKE 22:13-23

#borntodie

CHRISTMAS SERIES INTRODUCTION

As Christians, there are some distinct truths that we believe in and because of those beliefs there are philosophies or ways of thinking about life and living we DO NOT believe in. Let me give you several examples.

* Christians do not believe in karma: We do not believe that there is an impersonal force creating balance between good and evil in this life and with our previous lives.

* Christians do not believe in destiny: We do not believe that life is a series of disconnected or even connected coincidences that create a person’s direction in life or their fortune.

* Christians do not believe in fate: We do not believe in a predetermined set of actions or course that creates an unchangeable future that happens no matter what.

Well, Christians do not believe in karma or destiny or fate, what do we believe in when it comes to life and living? We believe in the will of the Eternal Holy God Almighty the Undisputed Righteous Maker of Heaven and Earth Who is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Christians believe in God’s eternal will. It is God’s eternal will that sets forth what will happen on the eternal stage and within our lives for certain because His will is done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Some things are immovable points of existence because it is the will of God. Christians also believe in God’s permissive will. It is God’s permissive will that allows free-will and choice and chance to exist, but never outside of His sight or prevue to intervene because nothing is ever out of God’s control. Some things are up to us and happen out of our control because God allows it in His permissive will.

Today we are beginning our march towards Christmas 2023, but we are going to continue to work our way through the Gospel of Luke chapter by chapter (as we have been doing for 21 weeks!). We have three chapters left in Luke and we have three weeks until Christmas. That is not happenstance, but by design. For the next three weeks, we will dig into Jesus and the undisputed fact that it was God’s will that Jesus was born to die. Jesus was born to die.

TRANSITION

Luke 22 begins with verses 1-2 which state: “Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover. 2 And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put Him to death, for they feared the people” (ESV). Terrible things are being planned for Jesus. Let’s read from Luke 22 this morning and begin our focus at verse 13.

READ LUKE 22:13-23 (ESV)

And they went and found it just as He had told them, and they prepared the Passover. 14 And when the hour came, He reclined at table, and the apostles with Him. 15 And He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.” 17 And He took a cup, and when He had given thanks He said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the Kingdom of God comes.” 19 And He took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.” 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood. 21 But behold, the hand of him who betrays Me is with Me on the table. 22 For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!” 23 And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this.

ILLUSTRATION… COMMUNITY DISTINCTIVES (p)

Every group we are a part of has rules, traditions, meanings behind phrases, and reasons for doing what they do when they gather together. These traditions or words make the group unique and give them an identity. Let me share with you some examples:

* Where I went to college, there was a paved circle that went around the main building of campus. It was a tradition that if a guy and girl walked around that circle three times that they would get married. Kind of a silly thing, but it was part of the tradition of the school.