Message
Luke 22:7-38
Our King Jesus’ Last Supper
If you knew that your meal tonight was going to be your last meal, what would you do?
What setting would you choose?
Who would you invite?
What would you eat?
I suspect a lot of us would choose a really lovely setting, perhaps over-looking the beach. We would invite all our special family and closest friends. We would eat all our favourite foods.
Now, of course, we never know when our last meal is going to be. But Jesus did.
Jesus said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.”
Luke 22:15
Jesus knew this Passover meal was going to be His last meal.
And He chose to be there … in the upper room …. with His disciples.
It was a deliberate decision, which makes what happens at the meal very significant.
Let’s turn to Luke 22:7-38 and read what happened (Read).
We can’t focus on everything that is happening here. But an aspect which really stands out is the deliberateness of the actions of Jesus.
It starts with A Deliberate Location
Jesus takes control in verse 8.
“Go and prepare the Passover. We are not going to join Lazarus, Mary or Martha. We are not going to join with other pilgrims. We are going to have our own Passover together.”
It is a plan which creates a difficulty.
It’s Passover. The city is packed … overflowing. Finding a room of sufficient size at such short notice is almost impossible. So when Peter and John ask, “Where will it be?”, they are asking a serious logistical question.
The answer involves following a man who is carrying a water jug. This is a man who has had an unusual day. There was no water available at his house.
All of the women in the house were busy.
Now he is walking through the street carrying a jug filled with water.
It’s women’s work! He can feel the eyes of the crowds on him. They are all laughing.
There is my house. I just need to get into the door of my house and the embarrassment will be over.
Nope. Here come those two burly men who have been following since I walked through the city gate. Whispering to each other. Pointing at him. Obviously they are going to make fun of me.
But they don’t make fun. Instead they ask to speak to the owner of the house.
They want to use the room upstairs for the Passover. It is for “The Teacher”.
Did Jesus prearrange all this with the owner much earlier?
“You send a man out to get water in a jug. Make sure he walks through the city gate at this time. I’ll get my disciples to be at the gate at that time?”
I don’t think it was like that. If it was planned earlier Jesus would have said, “I’ve arranged with Simeon Bar Jorim to use his room. He lives on Upper Wall Street.”
Jesus the King knows the room is not being used, but it is already furnished.
Jesus the King knows that the owner will let the “teacher” use it.
Jesus the King knows how to make sure the two disciples will find the room.
He brings all that knowledge together and he makes it happen.
Why focus on this detail? So that we understand that Jesus is Deliberately Making Sure the Last Supper Happen
It was carefully planned because it needed to happen this way.
The fact then the location is only revealed at the last moment - and only to two disciples - is an important detail.
After finding the room Peter and John will take a lamb to the temple and join in one of three lines where people go to have the animal slaughtered. Then, after the entrails had been removed and sacrificed the lamb would be returned to Peter and John so they can go and roast it. While the meat is cooking Peter and John would also need to get unleavened bread, wine and various herbs and spices.
In other words Peter and John are going to be quite busy for most of the day.
When one of the other disciples asks, “Where are we having the Passover?” Jesus would say, “Peter and John are sorting it out”.
Where is the Passover. Do you know which disciple would be most persistent in asking that question?
… …
It will be Judas. Go back to Luke 22:6 - money has been offered for the betrayal of Jesus.
Judas consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.
What better time to hand over Jesus away from the crowds than when everyone is busy celebrating the Passover? It would be exceptionally easy to come into the room … arrest Jesus … and get out. With very few people knowing what had happened.
But it doesn’t happen like that, because Judas doesn’t know where the meal is taking place.
It is a very deliberate action by Jesus.
Because what takes place at the Upper Room is important, and it cannot be interrupted.
So let’s look more closely at what happens.
The Inauguration of A Deliberate Feast
The meal is very familiar to us because the church today continues to celebrate.
Some weekly. Some monthly. Some less frequently.
For all the Lord’s Supper is a part of our Christian heritage … and it was deliberately put into place by Jesus.
Remember what Jesus said.
Jesus said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.”
Luke 22:15
Jesus has looked forward to this meal. But it will be the last time He has the Lord’s Supper with them.
I will not eat it again until it finds fulfilment in the kingdom of God. Luke 22:16
The symbols Jesus uses are on the table.
The broken bread which signifies the body which is broken for the forgiveness and restoration of sinners who are accepted by grace into family of Jesus
The cup which points to the sacrifice of the blood of Christ poured out freely and willingly for the sins of mankind.
Through the Lord's Supper we remember the work of Christ who died in our place and took the wrath of God for us.
We remember … but we also look forward. Which is the aspect Jesus wanted us to see.
I will not eat it again … until.
So much stuff is going to happen.
Jesus will die … people will think it is the end … but it is not.
Jesus will rise and ascend to heaven … some may have thought it is the end … but it is not.
Jesus will come again … not to bring an end … but to eat with us.
It’s deliberate. Jesus is deliberately emphasising the future … a future of community and connection and relationship.
The next few days will bring out the worst of mankind.
They will crucify the Son of God - the only time in history mankind has done that.
Yet, beyond this unique, horrific event, is a future. The Last Supper deliberately makes that clear.
What is also clear is that the Last Supper is an occasion of Deliberate Chastisement
John tells us that the time in the upper room began with Jesus washing the feet of the disciples. What was the teaching Jesus wanted the disciples to understand?
Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet … no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
John 13:14-16
Unfortunately the disciples didn’t get what is going on. Instead of learning from the actions of Jesus they end up starting an argument among themselves as to who is the greatest.
They are competing.
And undercutting.
And criticising.
Arguing about who is the favourite … and the best … and the most admired.
They are meant to be the united foundation of the church. So, patiently but pointedly, Jesus makes the point as clear as He can by lovingly chastising them.
Gentile, rulers and authorities act this way.
They lord it over their subjects. In their mind they are in control.
They issue commands and tell people what to do.
The pyramid of power peaks at their feet.
When they do acts which seem benevolent or done in good-will they always have a hidden agenda.
Not so with you.
Our call is not to look for the praise of men, or to demand respect, we need to be so different in our service.
It’s a deliberate chastisement to remind us how we as God’s children should act in our relationship with Jesus.
In relationship with the community as we walk the journey together.
Don’t we worried about reputation.
Don’t be concerned about who is at the front.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that somehow you are better than someone else.
Instead be the servant.
That is the way we live in the future. Be the servant who humbly knows their place feels privileged in it.
You see how deliberate Jesus is being?
And the deliberate focus continues.
A Deliberate Encouragement
There is no doubt that all of the disciples of Jesus a want to faithfully serve. Peter was definitely one of those who wanted to serve. But his execution for the servant plan needed a bit of refinement.
One moment he is climbing out of the boat and walking on water – the next he is swimming with the fish.
One moment he is saying Jesus you are the Christ, the Son of the living God … the next moment Jesus is tell Peter – you remind me a lot of Satan.
One moment he is faithfully declaring Even if everyone falls away, I will not … the next he is denying Jesus three times.
That’s Peter. He is a disciple on a journey. And on that journey he needs encouragement.
Peter was so sure wasn’t he.
Lord I am ready to go with You to prison and to death (Luke 22:33).
Even if all fall away on account of You, I never will (Matthew 26:33).
Even if I have to die with You, I will never disown You (Mark 14:31).
No way was he going to let Jesus down. Unfortunately Peter hasn't recognised the big picture.
We want to stand for Jesus.
We are firm that we won’t let Him down.
But there is another who is very determined to see us fail. Simon, Simon Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.
Who is Satan?
Satan makes us question.
Satan prods and pushes and frustrates.
Satan encourages us to make big claims which we can’t always back-up.
Satan is after our soul.
There is battle in the spiritual realm. We stand in the middle. And we get caught. One moment we can be so confident - it seems that nothing will be able to knock the wind out of our sails. And then down we go.
Spiritual strength sapped.
Confidence smashed.
Satan is sifting. When Satan sifts a lot of damage can be done.
Now listen again to the deliberate words of Jesus. I have prayed that your faith may not fail.
Now it might look like Peter did fail.
Woman I don't know Him.
Man, I am not one of them
Man I don't know what you are talking about.
Yes Peter did fail - but that is different from having your faith fail.
When facing the whole Sanhedrin …
Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges!
Acts 4:19
That isn’t a fail of faith.
When being told to stop preaching in the temple or they will face persecution …
Peter and the other apostles replied: We must obey God
Acts 5:29
That isn’t a fail of faith.
According to church tradition Peter was crucified … upside-down … killed by the Roman Emperor Nero because Peter would not let go of his commitment to Jesus.
That isn’t a fail of faith.
As we go into the future as servants we will have times when we fail.
Jesus deliberately makes sure we hear the encouragement.
A failure of action …
… a moral failure.
… a spiritual failure.
… a failure with huge negative consequences.
… a failure which we only know about.
… a failure because of sin … which causes guilt … and creates hurt.
A failure of action is not a failure of faith.
Because we have the Saviour … whose blood is poured out and whose body is given … who is praying for us. He will deliberately hold us and bring us back.
Look at the Last Supper. Do you see what Jesus is doing?
He chooses a deliberate location … so there won’t be interruptions.
He inaugurates a deliberate feast … which points to a future relationship.
He deliberately chastises … to remind us of our humble servant hood.
He deliberately encourages … so that our faith may not fail on the journey.
All of this needed to be in place … which is why Jesus was so eager to make sure this Passover meal happened.
And then it is time.
They grab a few swords.
They head off to their usual to meeting place at the Mount of Olives.
Now Judas will have the opportunity to hand Him over where there are no crowds.
The deliberate plan of Jesus … at exactly the right time and moment … giving His life.
The deliberate plan so each one of us can be part of the family of Jesus.
He deliberately acts.
Let’s now go, encouraged as humble disciples, and deliberately serve.
Prayer
