Timeline Of The Last Supper.

TIMELINE OF THE LAST SUPPER.

Luke 22:1-34.

LUKE 22:1. The first thing that we notice as we enter into this passage is that it was the LORD who was setting the timetable for Jesus’ death. “The feast of unleavened bread drew nigh.” It was the PASSOVER, the commemoration of the deliverance of the children of Israel out of Egypt.

This explains Luke’s language in explaining what Jesus was speaking about with Moses and Elijah on the mount of Transfiguration: literally, ‘His EXODUS that He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem’ (cf. Luke 9:31). Later, in interpreting and applying these events for us, the Apostle Paul could report: ‘Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us’ (1 Corinthians 5:7).

LUKE 22:2. The second thing that we may notice is the manipulative plan of Satan that the LORD was using and overruling throughout. Evil members of the leadership of the old ‘church’ of those days had already determined that it was ‘expedient that one should die for the people’ (cf. John 11:50), and they “sought how they might kill” Jesus.

LUKE 22:3-6. Furthermore, Satan himself “entered into” one of Jesus’ own twelve disciples! We see here an example of how ‘the LOVE of money is the root of all kinds of evil’ (cf. 1 Timothy 6:10).

LUKE 22:7. As the chapter proceeds, we find a second time reference: now it was “the day of unleavened bread, when the Passover must be killed.” And, just as surely, God’s programme for our redemption was proceeding.

LUKE 22:8-13. Peter and John were sent to prepare the Passover and, wondrously, found everything exactly as Jesus had said. Jesus remained in control throughout.

LUKE 22:14. A third time reference takes us to the last supper.

“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 invested 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 plan of salvation and the plot against Jesus 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!