Jesus' Last Passover Series

Scripture

Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem took place on Sunday. We call that day “Palm Sunday.” There was tremendous excitement and anticipation by the people for what Jesus was about to accomplish. They were expecting him to deliver them from their Roman oppressors.

Opposition to Jesus quickly grew. By Wednesday of that week the Jewish religious leaders were seriously plotting to have Jesus killed. The Roman leaders were very concerned about any uprising from the Jews. The city of Jerusalem had tens of thousands of visitors during the Passover, and the Roman authorities wanted no trouble.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, the first day of Unleavened Bread, Jesus had his disciples prepare for the Passover.

Let’s read about Jesus’ last Passover in Matthew 26:17-29:

17 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’ ” 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.

20 When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. 21 And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” 23 He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” 25 Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.”

26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” (Matthew 26:17-29)

Introduction

When I first came to the United States, I discovered this country’s distinctive holidays. One of those was Thanksgiving. As a student, I was thoroughly engrossed in my academic studies when I learned that there was going to be a four-day holiday coming up. “Great!” I thought, “Now I will be able to catch up on a lot of work.” When my fellow classmates learned that I had no plans for Thanksgiving, they took pity on me. I was invited to spend Thanksgiving with a friend. Well, I soon discovered that Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday!

The holy day of Passover was one of three great festivals in ancient Israel. The Passover meal was the highlight of the seven-day pilgrimage festival.

Lesson

Jesus’ last Passover in Matthew 26:17-29 teaches us about the institution of the Lord’s Supper.

Let’s use the following outline:

1. What Happened at Jesus’ Last Passover? (26:17-29)

2. What Does Jesus’ Last Passover Mean for Us?

I. What Happened at Jesus’ Last Passover? (26:17-29)

First, what happened at Jesus’ last Passover?

Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem took place on Sunday, the first day of the week. On Thursday, the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” (26:17). The disciples knew that they needed a room big enough for at least thirteen people, and probably more.

Jesus said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples’ ” (26:18). Jesus had likely pre-arranged with someone to use a room in his house. We know from Mark and Luke that it was “a large upper room furnished” (cf. Mark 14:15; Luke 22:12). And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover (26:19).

Now, the Passover meal included lamb, unleavened bread, bitter herbs, and wine. The Passover commemorated the Lord passing over all the people in Egypt. The people of God gathered in families and killed a lamb, and sprinkled the blood of the lamb on the doorposts and lintel of their houses. When the Lord saw the blood, he passed over them and did not kill the firstborn in that home. The Passover meal included telling the story of the Passover, discussing the story, drinking four cups of wine, eating unleavened bread, partaking of the meal (which included lamb), and reclining in celebration of their freedom from Egypt.