Celebration and Anticipation
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Key Verse: “He took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” Selected Scripture: |
THIS LESSON DIRECTS OUR attention to the Passover which commemorates the passing over of the houses of the Israelites by the angel of death, meanwhile striking down in death the firstborn of all the Egyptians. The Israelites were slaves in Egypt, and God had directed Moses to seek their release from Pharaoh. Despite a series of plagues God had visited upon the people, Pharaoh refused to let them go until the terrible night when death struck every Egyptian household, but spared the homes of the Israelites, as described in Exodus, chapter twelve.
Every year on the appropriate date each family in Israel observes the Passover in memory of God’s deliverance from bondage. In last week’s lesson Jesus directed John and Peter to arrange for all the disciples to gather together as a family, to celebrate the Passover. They were to enter the city of Jerusalem where they would see a man carrying a jar of water and make the arrangements. Since men seldom carried water in those days because it was a woman’s work, this would be an obvious sign. The two disciples went and found everything exactly as Jesus told them, and made the Passover preparations, including procuring a lamb.
When the time was come, Jesus and his disciples reclined at the table, the Master said, “With all my heart I have longed to eat this Passover with you before the time comes for me to suffer.” (Luke 22:15, J.B. Phillips Translation) Earlier, he had warned the apostles of his impending arrest, trial, and execution, but they had paid little attention. Now he revealed that this would be the last Passover he would share with them until they were all reunited in the kingdom of his Father. (Matt. 26:29) Jesus “took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” (Luke 22:19,20) He is saying, This is the New Covenant ratified by my blood, which is to be poured out on your behalf.
At the conclusion of sharing the bread and wine with his apostles, including Judas, Jesus makes another startling announcement. “Behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.” (Luke 22:21-23) There then arose a dispute among them as to who was the greatest. Jesus’ reply to this was who is the greater, the guest or the servant? Obviously, the guest. It is as a servant that I am with you. Then, he said, “I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Luke 22:29,30) This was the last Passover meal Jesus had with his disciples.