Luke 22

Posted on Apr 3, 2017 in Bible (NT) in a Year |

Monday
The Passover meal is about to take place for Jesus and the disciples. This was one of the “important” festivals.

One that caused many Jews to head to Jerusalem for this special time. Jesus has methodically been leading His followers to this moment. There was a clandestine plan set up for the disciples to find the place where the Passover would be celebrated. “Look for this man with a water jug on his head.” Now you might think wouldn’t there be lots of men that fit that description? But the truth is, carrying water was not usually a man’s job… that was the women, so a man carrying a jug of water on his head would have been obvious to one who was looking for it. I think there might be a lesson just in that… Jesus tells us to look for the obvious in unusual places. We must seek in order to find. How many people would have walk right past this man and not known that he would be leading them to something great, the Last Supper with Jesus the Christ.
 

So back to this special night. Jesus brings his disciples together for this one last meal that will have great meaning for them and the rest of humanity for all time.

The Passover meal would have included roast lamb, bitter herbs, unleavened bread and cups of wine mixed with water. (All symbolic of the great exodus from Egypt). The twelve disciples would have arrived for the Feast just before sunset, which is when the feast began. During this feast there would have been a time of seeking God’s blessing on the home. The leader would take the bread in his hands and praise God. Later he would take the wine and also praise God. Jesus uses this basic ritual as he breaks bread with his disciples and gives it new meaning.

“He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.  After supper he took another cup of wine and said, ‘This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.’”  vs 19- 20

Jesus is giving new meaning to the Passover ritual. Jews would have made covenants (contracts) by smearing blood on the participants of the covenant. (see Exodus 24:6-8)

Jesus is saying this in the new covenant. A covenant that was made at the pouring out of Jesus’ blood. The new covenant will be sealed with the blood of the lamb, Jesus Christ.

Remember what the prophet Jeremiah said?  “The day is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah.” (Jeremiah 31:31)

 

For Jesus and his followers, the day has come.  The Will of God will not be carved into tablets of stone, but will be written on the hearts of those who love the Lord. In ancient times the heart was considered the place where your motivation and purpose came from. So, when we ask Jesus to come into our hearts, we are asking Him to come into our lives and transform our hearts – redirect our purpose, our will. Change our attitudes, our dreams and desires to align with the Will of God.
 

When we participate in the Lord’s Supper or communion, it is a way for us to remember what Christ did for us. How often do you remember the magnitude of what Jesus did for you? How do you thank Him?

Blessings

Pastor Kathy