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Weekly Message | March 14th, 2010
Passage: Luke 22:1-38
Key Verse(s): 20
We are doing a major fast-forward in our Luke’s gospel study from chapter 10 to 22. Jesus’ death on the cross was now only hours away, and the Jewish people readied themselves to celebrate the Passover. As Easter season approaches we also take time to remember Jesus’ death and resurrection. In the coming weeks and at conference we will focus our attention on the cross of Jesus. The cross of Jesus is one of suffering and death, yet it is not gloomy and dark. There is hope in the cross. The cross brings life to dead and weary souls. In the cross we find vision and new perspective.
In this passage Jesus teaches his disciples about the new covenant in his blood. We all like things that are new. We quickly notice the smell of new carpet or new paint. The newness of the coming spring brightens our day. Every teenager’s dream is to get a new car. Today we will think about the most important new thing in all of history, God’s new covenant with his people. Let’s think about its meaning and what makes it possible.
First, “Go and make preparations to eat the Passover.” (1-13)
The Passover was fast approaching. Jewish people gathered in Jerusalem to remember God’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt and to look forward to the future glory of God’s people. Instead of preparing great messages for the people, the religious leaders were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus. They wanted to arrest and have Jesus killed, but they feared the people and Jesus’ popularity.
Then the Bible says that Satan entered Judas. Judas had heard Jesus’ words like the others but had never fully accepted them. He was uncommitted and unresolved in his heart and full of worldly desires. When Satan knocked on the door of his heart, he opened it and let him in. Judas went to the religious leaders and discussed how he might betray Jesus. The religious leaders were delighted and agreed to pay Judas. Judas would watch for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.
The day of Passover came, the day the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed, the day that Jesus himself would die as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Look at verses 8-9: “Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, ‘Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.’ ‘Where do you want us to prepare for it?’ they asked.” This shows that Jesus himself made all the arrangement in advance. All the disciples had to do was to accept their role and they were committed to do their part. They were excited about participating in the work of God.
Jesus gave specific instructions, yet his directions did not disclose the actual location of their meal. Jesus had in mind a very special time with his disciples and would not allow Judas to undermine it. Peter and John listened and obeyed Jesus. They may not have understood completely, but they obeyed anyway. Not only were they excited but also obedient. After finding the location, they prepared the Passover. In the Jewish tradition, this was a 4-course meal. It would take considerable effort on their part, but they did so out of love for Jesus. Their preparation made the Last Supper with Jesus possible. Their preparation made Jesus’ beautiful teachings on the new covenant of the blood available even to us as well.
Here, we consider the value of preparation. Who is doing all the work? It is God who started the good work in us. (Php 1:6) It is Jesus who prepares our path in advance to the kingdom of God. Jesus said, “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” The work of God is “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” (Eph 4:12) As the Savior and Lord, Jesus prepares for us. His servants prepare as well. From God’s point of view, leaders are servants. They prepare for others in advance. Leaders accept their specific roles and commit to practice the hard work of preparation for Jesus and his people. Real leaders are those who do this work of preparation faithfully before God. I thank God for many leaders who do their constant preparation work among us. Our renovation and expansion involved such work of hidden preparation in advance. Our early morning prayers each week are the preparation for the work of God in Toledo UBF. To serve and to lead is to prepare in advance for others’ sake through hard work in hidden ways. In less than two weeks we will have Spring Conference in which we remember the Cross of Jesus. Let’s do the work of preparation through joint prayers, invitation efforts, registration, and all the practical hard work doing it with joy and commitment.
Second, “My body given for you…my blood, which is poured out for you.” (14-23)
The hour for the Last Supper came and Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. The words Jesus spoke were deep and personal. This moment came after 3 solid years of a daily relationship with his disciples. Look at verse 15, “And he said to them, ‘I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.’” Jesus anticipated this moment for a long time. He looked forward to a new, even more intimate relationship with them beyond the cross. Up to this point, Jesus had only foretold the facts of his suffering, death, and rising again.
Look at verses 16-18: “‘For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.’ 17After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, ‘Take this and divide it among you. 18For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.’” As they enjoyed the Passover meal together, Jesus drew their attention to the kingdom of God. It was important to remember and celebrate the past, but at this time, Jesus did his best to keep the disciples forward-focused. We also cannot lose track of where we are ultimately headed in the hustle and bustle of life in this world. We need time to stop, think, and reconnect with our unique place in God’s history and our eternal destiny in heaven. It is only in that perspective that our relationship with God makes sense and finds its place in our practical life.
Look at verse 19: “And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’” The bread Jesus gave them represented his body that was broken for their sins. Jesus was a human being like you and me. He was in his early 30s with much life still to live. But Jesus saw the value in the lives of his disciples and in us. Though his life was infinitely more valuable, his body was given and broken for our sake. This is how much he values us. To remember Jesus in this way, is to remember his love and sacrifice and to remember the difference Jesus’ brokenness for our sin makes in our lives.
The physical effects of sin in our body and mind are real and powerful. We feel it and see it every day. These days many young people cut themselves to deal with the brokenness in their lives. College students drink the night away to forget and temporarily escape life’s demands. People blame others; their wives, their children, their parents, their jobs, for their stress and brokenness. But the root cause is sin, and the only solution is to believe and accept that Jesus’ body was broken for our sins and that he is ready and waiting to forgive us and set us free.
The covenant relationship is a deeply personal matter between Jesus and us. Personally, my body was once addicted to nicotine, drugs, and alcohol. My mind was equally enslaved. I abused myself and contributed almost daily to the brokenness of others. How could I be freed from my sin-sickness? Only through Jesus’ love and sacrifice for my sin. Although issues in life may change, the pattern for restoration remains the same. It is in remembering and recognizing our brokenness apart from Christ, so that we become new and complete again in his grace. Jesus’ body given for us makes all the difference in our life relationship with God. It shows us what real love is and what kind of love is possible to have to share with others.
Look at verse 20: “In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.’” In these words, Jesus begins to reveal one of the great mysteries of the Scriptures. Jesus’ death becomes the new basis of God’s relationship with us. The old covenant can be seen in Exodus 19:5- 6a: “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” In the old covenant people promised to obey God fully and keep God’s words absolutely. If so, they would be the object of his love and blessing and the instrument of his outreach to the world. But the people could not keep their end of the agreement. The power of sin in their hearts made them unfaithful to God. They wandered away from God, his love, and his purpose, and broke the covenant again and again. Their faith lacked any real staying power.
The new covenant is different. Jesus’ death established a new covenant between God and his people. A covenant is a relationship built on mutual promise-making and promise-keeping. This new covenant builds upon, simplifies, and fulfills the old covenant. Hebrews 9:14 says, “How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” Jesus’ blood cleanses our consciences and empowers us to serve God continually. The blood of Jesus is the power source of our new relationship with God. This cup of the new covenant is something we must all find personally. In the cup are all the purest and holiest things of God poured out onto us to form and develop the new relationship with him through Jesus’ death.
Third, “But I have prayed for you, Simon…” (24-38)
Jesus spoke the most important truth—the truth hidden for ages. Yet, upon revealing it, the disciples showed very little interest. Instead, they argued again about who would be the greatest. The disciples were insensitive, selfish, and seemingly unreachable. What did Jesus do? Was he disappointed, furious, or full of despair? No. Instead, Jesus taught them again about true greatness. Look at verses 25-26: “Jesus said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.’” Jesus taught his disciples the same lessons again and again. As the new relationship persisted, eventually they would get it.
Jesus also blessed his disciples when he said, “You are those who have stood by me in my trials.” (28) Jesus expressed to his disciples his great appreciation. Jesus remembered their wonderful devotion. Jesus said, “And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (29-30) Jesus promised royal authority to serve his work on earth and in heaven. Because of the new covenant, they would become co-heirs with Christ and share greater glory than the 12 tribes of Israel.
At this time, Jesus turned his attention to Simon Peter. Look at verse 31: “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Jesus warned Simon Peter about the spiritual dangers that he was facing. Jesus prayed for him so that his faith might not fail. At the same time, Jesus planted hope that he could turn back and strengthen other brothers. Simon Peter was sure of his commitment and resolve. He said, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.” Only a handful of hours later Peter’s resolve melted away to fear and doubt.
Jesus prayed for Simon to have sustaining faith, so he would become someone who could love, strengthen, and serve others. Jesus prayed for Simon’s real growth and maturity in the image of Jesus. Jesus prayed for him to grow in humility, faith, and strength. Jesus prayed for Simon to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Later Peter understood the importance of growth in Christian maturity when he said, “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2Pe 1:5-8) It is one thing to establish a covenant relationship with Christ and to be secure in our relationship with God. Many young Christians think that since they have this secure relationship, there is little else they must do. But we must remember that Jesus prays for us that we may grow up. Jesus wants us to grow in Christian maturity. Jesus expects our character to be more like Christ. We also pray for one another to be more like Christ, more humble like Christ, more prayerful like Christ. The more I come to know Christ, the more I am committed to such Christian maturity through my many ups and downs.
In conclusion, the Last Supper was an intense and important moment for Jesus. Jesus laid the groundwork with his disciples for the new covenant. The disciples didn’t fully understand the meaning at the time. Later, they did. The new covenant became real and personal to each one. Likewise, we may all establish, confirm, and secure the new covenant with God through the body and blood of Jesus in deep and personal ways. His love and sacrifice for our sins may forever define our relationship with God.
March 14, 2010; Greg Lewis; Toledo, UBF.
Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
