Scripture: Luke 22:1-30
22 Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, 2 and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. 3 Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. 4 And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 5 They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6 He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.
The Last Supper
7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”
9 “Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked.
10 He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, 11 and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.”
13 They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.
14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”
17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
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.”
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.[a] 21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!” 23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.
24 A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But 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. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. 28 You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (NIV)
Observation:
In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus is celebrating the Passover with his disciples when he institutes what has come to be known as our Communion with Jesus being the unleavened (sinless) Bread of Heaven. After the supper was finished again Jesus took the cup and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” (Luke 22:20) Jesus took the cup which followed the meal. This cup had a name it was called the “Cup of Redemption.” It is this cup that Jesus says is his blood, the Cup of Redemption. Jesus is demonstrating that He himself is their Paschal Lamb who takes away the sins of the world. It is His shed blood that would make atonement for the sins of those who believe in Jesus.
Application:
Whether Jesus partakes in a pre-Passover meal with His disciples, as depicted in John’s Gospel, or the actual Passover meal during the Passover as is represented in Luke’s Gospel, the message remains unchanged, Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed is the one who believes in this and finds forgiveness for their sins. Jesus’ life, death, and subsequent resurrection demonstrate that the Passover is fulfilled in His sacrifice for all who believe in Him.
Prayer:
O Lord and Master, Jesus, You are our Paschal Lamb who sacrificed Yourself for, cleansing us through the blood of Your perfect offering. You, who are without sin, bore the sins of the entire world to reconcile us to God. Through the sacrament of Communion, believing in Your perfect gift, we receive the Holy Spirit, who reminds us of You and the teachings You imparted to Your disciples. Grant us the grace to grow in Your love, to learn Your ways, and to walk in them for Your Glory and the Glory of our Father in Heaven. Amen.