The Lord’s Supper (Luke, Part 11)
Luke 22:1-38
Introduction / Recap
- Last week, we discussed the teachings of Jesus surrounding His return
- Bottom line: We DO NOT fear His return, but we can’t misunderstand it either
-- We should know the signs behind His coming, and be ready to explain them
-- In that knowledge we gain strength and courage for what’s ahead of us
-- We are to live as servants who expect the Master to return at any moment
- This is our calling: to be fully prepared for His arrival
-- We should not be afraid of it – but welcome Him because we are ready!
- Today we are going to examine the events surrounding His final Passover
-- This is traditionally referred to as the Last Supper (or communion to some)
-- A well-known painting by Leonardo DaVinci memorializes this (PHOTO)
-- From L to R: Bartholomew, James (son of Alpheus), Andrew, Judas, Peter, John, Jesus, Thomas, James (son of Zebedee, John’s brother)), Philip, Matthew, Thaddeus, and Simon
- IMP of this event: It is really the final time Jesus will be with all His disciples
-- Because of that, His words of urgency/preparation are very relevant to us
- Read Luke 22:1-38 / Pray
Point 1 – The plot against Jesus unfolds
- The Passover is supposed to be a joyous feast and a festive occasion (v1)
-- Purpose: Celebration of God’s people remembering their deliverance
-- To remember their escape from slavery in Israel (under Pharoah)
- But we can’t miss the juxtaposition of events:
-- One on hand, there is a celebration of divine deliverance from captivity
-- And on the other, there is the plotting to take the life of God’s Deliverer (v2)
- Many ask why the religious were so opposed to Jesus, here it is:
-- They feared losing control over the people they lorded their power over
-- If an uprising could occur, and they would follow Jesus, they’d lose
- No different than today: if you don’t have enough votes, you lose an election
-- Or, if enough people take a stand against something - it gets defeated
-- The religious knew this … and they are desperate to remain in power
- In conjunction with the religious, Satan was also in opposition (v3)
-- His purpose is simple: Destroy the relationship between God and man
-- So, he is seen entering Judas, stirring in him to make a deal against Jesus
- Chat: If Satan could destroy Jesus - mankind could never be saved
-- If he could prevent Jesus from his fulfilling His mission, we’d be doomed
-- But that is his problem: He doesn’t know Jesus must die to save man!
- It is a true revelation for of Satan’s limits (don’t miss this):
• He is NOT omniscient
• He does not know God’s plans
• His knowledge of what is to come is on a limited scope
- LESSON: We need to remember this when we come against him today!
- Next, we see Judas, a covetous man who valued worldly offerings
-- Judas was one of the original 12 disciples, called by Jesus to follow
-- He knew Jesus, walked with him daily, saw the miracles & heard the teaching
-- He knew the message of and the importance of repenting from sin
-- But he was NOT a genuine believer who gave his life to Christ
- HUGE WARNING TODAY: Even we can know the stories & not be following!
- He was also a man who coveted the world and what it could offer him
-- Matthew 26:15, “and asked, “How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?” And they gave him thirty pieces of silver.”
- The disciples knew him to be a thief, he was a man after earthly rewards
-- Take a look at a familiar story and look at his focus vs. what is happening
-- Display John 12:1-6, discuss events: worship of Mary vs. greed of Judas
- Judas filled his heart for the lust of the world, it meant more than godly things
-- Since Jesus did not overthrow Rome after the triumphant entry, he was bitter
-- His heart hardened even more, and he became part of those plotting
-- Re: Satan was now dwelling in him, and suggesting that he continue to sin
- So, he makes a covenant with the world (v4) to betray Jesus
-- APP: It is a great warning to you and me: Be careful who you follow
-- More than that: Be sure you are serving God for the right reasons
-- Heed the warning: If one of the twelve can be deceived, so can we!
- TR: With this warning before us, let’s answer a key question …
Point 2 – Why is the Lord’s Supper important?
- The importance of the Lord’s Supper is threefold:
1. It shows how Jesus fulfilled the great Passover feast
2. It stresses the need we have to remember the Lord’s death
3. It shows us how we should cautiously prepare for His sacrifice
- What we must remember is that even in challenging times we should partake
-- This time in Jerusalem was one of the most difficult; physically/spiritually
-- People were seeking to kill Him; He was to be betrayed by His own
-- And still, the time is taken to observe this special sacrament
- But what Jesus does is tie this event to His physical death (v15-16)
-- He tells them, “… before I suffer … I will not eat again until …”
- Our promise is to see that one day, believers will feast with Him again
-- It is a promise for us to sit with the Messiah, in His Kingdom, celebrating
-- FACT: And we will enjoy the benefits of being perfectly protected forever
-- Colossians 3:4, “And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.”
- The cup represents a new covenant made between man and God
-- It is through His blood that Jesus is able to solidify a new covenant
-- Without the shedding of blood, there can be no forgiveness of sin (Heb 9:22)
-- Ephesians 1:7, “He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.”
- Faith in the work of His blood is why we get to approach God today/now
-- It is why His words of being poured out for many are so relevant
-- APP: When He is poured out, and we are His, we can come before God
- Why? Because of what He will do (and has done) on the cross
-- The covenant is eternal, and signifies His sacrifice is done with God’s favor
- Jesus takes the bread, and breaks it – symbolizing His broken body
-- In the OT, the broken bread symbolizes the sufferings of the Israelites
-- In the NT, it is the physical picture of His body being broken (wrath of God)
- But we need to see why this conversation takes place now
-- At this table, sits the man who will betray Him (v21)
-- And in this explanation of the new covenant, a message is conveyed to him
1. Jesus used the event to appeal to a sinner
- Judas had forsaken Jesus, and was now at His table hearing this
- He thought His sin was hidden, yet Jesus knew exactly what’s happening
- He had seen all that was done, and knew Judas’ heart
2. Jesus used the event to warn the sinner
- He says “woe” to that man … woe = wrath, anger, and pity
- It is a terrible pronouncement, judgment will come for that man
- And in this warning, Jesus pronounces the future of this betrayer
3. Jesus used the supper to stir them all to search their hearts
- Notice how they asked if they would be “the one” to betray (v23)
- Their curiosity of this pronouncement affected them all
- Why? It made them search their hearts and affirm their faithfulness
- If there is anything the Lord’s Supper ought to do is strengthen our resolve
-- We cannot partake with sin in our hearts – Jesus already knows
-- This warning of “woe” was for Judas … whose heart was hardened
-- APP: The same results will apply to you and me if we are not careful
- TR: Let’s look at the lesson from this event and why it’s so important; ASK:
Point 3 – What should we see from this special dinner?
- Curiously (sigh), the disciples spend time jockeying for position! (v24)
-- They are looking to an earthly kingdom, and Jesus’ words are lost on them
-- They figured He was about to establish rule and they’re worried about a job!
- FACT: Jesus always rejects our ideas of who should be in charge
-- His challenge is to see more than their current position in life (v25)
- It is why He used the example of the servant and the guest at a table
-- Those who are greatest must serve – rather than wanting to be in charge
-- The reward for serving: v29 “We get to sit and dine with Jesus Christ!”
-- Disciples: will serve as judges over the 12 tribes of Israel!
-- APP: It changes the mindset … serve now and you shall be great then!
- So, what Jesus does is give them a covenant they can stand firm on
-- If they serve, they will earn a place in eternity by His side
-- Put yourself here: If life is all about you, you’re missing God’s opportunity
-- Jesus calls us (and demonstrates) to see the attitude of servant vs. served
- So, why is this dinner-time conversation? (pause) Peter.
-- Satan’s desire is to sift (GR: siniasai) Peter (us) to test his faithfulness
-- Note: We see the same picture in Job – Satan has to “ask” God
-- APP: Even in the heavenly realms, Satan is not free to do whatever
- Yet, Peter’s lack of self-awareness is revealed in his response (v33)
-- It is why Jesus is so definitive (v34) – his denial will be total / complete
-- Even though Jesus has given them all they need to survive (v35) - he’ll deny
- So, He charges them (v36-37) to go, to be prepared, to tell others the story
-- In this charging Jesus prepares them with four specific things:
• To know the difference between a carnal spirit and a spiritual commitment
• To remember that Jesus provided all the resources they need
• To remember that difficult days will still be ahead
• To remember that the covenant of God still stands
- It is why He is so adamant (v37): everything written about me will come true
-- But, in human fashion, the disciples miss the point! Read v38
- Look at Jesus final words – “that is enough” (why?) Focused on the wrong thing!
-- Jesus was signaling to them that this conversation was over; that’s enough
- Consider: They have two swords against those coming to arrest Jesus
-- And they missed the preparation of Jesus’ because they only saw the physical
- Their hearts only saw the human kingdom and missed the application
-- Whole event: the communion, the covenant, the denial, the sifting, the charge
-- All of this pointed to Jesus fulfilling His ultimate purpose (die for them)
-- And they are still considering how to wage a war against earthly rulers
- For you and me, there can be no greater challenge today than this
-- Will we deny our human instincts and press into what God calls us to do?
-- This is where we find ourselves this week … and it’s our challenge today
-- What we do with this information is now up to us …
- Next week, we’ll pick up right here – prayerfully we’ll be together again
- Pray
