The Passion According To Luke.

THE PASSION ACCORDING TO LUKE.

Luke 22:14-71; Luke 23:1-56.

The feast of Passover drew nigh, and already there was a plot afoot to destroy Jesus. Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, and the religious leaders promised him money if he would betray Jesus to them. Judas thereafter sought opportunity to do just that (Luke 22:1-6).

Over against and alongside this manipulation of Satan, there was another plan being worked out, this time by God. This was the plan of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who is, after all, the fulfilment of the Passover (cf. 1 Corinthians 5:7). So, when the day came when the Passover lamb must be killed, Jesus sent Peter and John to prepare the meal (Luke 22:7-13).

(I). FROM THE LAST SUPPER TO THE ARREST IN GETHSEMANE.

Luke 22:14-53.

“When the hour was come,” we read, “Jesus sat down with the twelve apostles.” Jesus was in complete control as He expressed His desire to share the Passover with His disciples before He suffered. “For,” He said, “I will not any more eat thereof until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God” (Luke 22:14-16).

Luke alone mentions Jesus lifting the first cup at the beginning of the meal, giving thanks (as was customary), and then intimating, “I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come” (Luke 22:17-18). In this, Jesus was demonstrating His total faith and assurance that His mission would succeed. He was already anticipating the Messianic banquet at the end of time (cf. Isaiah 25:6-7).

As the Passover meal proceeded, Jesus took the unleavened bread that was customarily eaten along with the lamb of the main course, broke it, and gave it to them. The words of the inauguration of the Lord’s Supper are familiar enough to believers. “This is my body which is GIVEN for you: this do in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19).

The third cup of the Passover meal corresponds to the words ‘I will redeem’ in Exodus 6:6-7. This is the cup which Jesus took, investing it with new meaning: “This cup is the new testament (or covenant) in my blood, which is shed (poured out) for you” (Luke 22:20; cf. Jeremiah 31:31-34). In short, ‘He has loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood’ (Revelation 1:5).

The plot against Jesus, and the plan of salvation met together at that table. There was an inevitability about it. The Son of man was going, as it was determined: “but woe unto that man by whom He is betrayed” (Luke 22:21-22).

It is tragic that, even at such a solemn time, the self-examination of the disciples following this remark of the Lord disintegrated into a squabble about who was the greatest. Jesus used this as a teaching moment (Luke 22:23-26; cf. Philippians 2:3). Jesus, who is, after all, THE greatest, came as one who serves (Luke 22:27; cf. Mark 10:45). That reproof having been made, Jesus encouraged His disciples, and assured them of their place in His kingdom (Luke 22:28-30).

However, He had a special warning for Simon; but reassured him of His prayers; and instructed him to “strengthen your brethren” after his “conversion.” Simon felt he was strong and loyal enough to follow Jesus, “even to death,” so Jesus warned him again: “Peter, the cock shall not crow this day before that you shall thrice deny that you know me” (Luke 22:31-34). We cannot serve Him in our own strength!

Nevertheless, we must serve Him with all available resources. This is the meaning of the apparent change in policy from the little commission, where they took nothing (cf. Luke 9:3), to the present need to take both bag and wallet, and even to purchase a sword! Jesus’ plan of salvation was yet to be “accomplished” in Him, but was coming to a head, as His quotation from Isaiah 53:12 (“He was reckoned among the transgressors”) demonstrates: “for the things concerning me have an end,” He adds (Luke 22:35-37).

“Here are two swords,” offered His disciples. Jesus dismissed the subject: “It is enough.” His mind was already moving forward to the place of prayer, known to us as Gethsemane, ‘the place of pressing.’ It is good for us to resort to prayer, especially in what we might term, ‘times of pressing’ (Luke 22:38-39).

When He reached the garden, He exhorted His disciples to “Pray that ye enter not into temptation.” Then He withdrew from them and knelt down and prayed, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine be done” (Luke 22:40-42). It was in a garden that Adam first fell, and now it was in a garden that the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5), the last Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45) willingly submitted to the will of His heavenly Father.