March 3, 2020

Blowing the Disciples' Minds

Luke 22:1–38

Sue Bohlin
Tuesday's Devo

March 3, 2020

Tuesday's Devo

March 3, 2020

Central Truth

In Jesus' Last Supper with His disciples, He explained the promises and symbolism of 1,300 years of Passover observances. It was a hinge connecting God's faithful deliverance of the past to the magnificent fulfillment of His plans from before the foundations of the earth.

Key Verse | Luke 22:18-20

"For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." And he took bread . . . saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood."

Luke 22:1–38

The Plot to Kill Jesus

Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put him to death, for they feared the people.

Judas to Betray Jesus

Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd.

The Passover with the Disciples

Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. So Jesus 1 22:8 Greek he sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.” They said to him, “Where will you have us prepare it?” 10 He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters 11 and tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 And he will show you a large upper room furnished; prepare it there.” 13 And they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

Institution of the Lord's Supper

14 And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you I will not eat it 2 22:16 Some manuscripts never eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. 3 22:20 Some manuscripts omit, in whole or in part, verses 19b-20 (which is given in my blood) 21 But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. 22 For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” 23 And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this.

Who Is the Greatest?

24 A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25 And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.

28 You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, 29 and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, 30 that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial

31 Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, 4 22:31 The Greek word for you (twice in this verse) is plural; in verse 32, all four instances are singular that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” 33 Peter 5 22:33 Greek He said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” 34 Jesus 6 22:34 Greek He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”

Scripture Must Be Fulfilled in Jesus

35 And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” 36 He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. 37 For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” 38 And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.”

Footnotes

[1] 22:8 Greek he
[2] 22:16 Some manuscripts never eat it again
[3] 22:20 Some manuscripts omit, in whole or in part, verses 19b-20 (which is given . . . in my blood)
[4] 22:31 The Greek word for you (twice in this verse) is plural; in verse 32, all four instances are singular
[5] 22:33 Greek He
[6] 22:34 Greek He

Dive Deeper | Luke 22:1–38

The Lord Jesus had intensely looked forward to this last of three Passovers with His disciples. He was going to blow their minds with a powerful, dramatic, completely unexpected teaching.

For 1,300 years, as they celebrated the Passover, Jews had been looking back at Yahweh's miraculous deliverance of His people from Egypt. But the prayers of the Passover seder were like a hinge that swung in two directions. They not only looked back; they also looked forward to a marriage celebration of Yahweh and His people: "I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians." (Exodus 6:7)

As Jesus led His disciples in the Passover celebration, He went off-script. He reinterpreted the foods, explaining how they pointed to Him. As He broke the unleavened bread, which appeared bruised, striped, and pierced, He taught the disciples that it would always be a symbol of His body, which would shortly be given for them. The wine in the cup was a symbol of His blood, which would be poured out for them.

But my favorite part of this scene is in Luke 22:18, before the last of four cups of wine, where Jesus says, "[F]rom now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." He is promising that the last cup of wine will be at the marriage feast of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9). The wedding language of the Passover will see its fulfillment in the coming Millennial Kingdom.

The Lord has been planning this magnificent feast for a long time. Isaiah 25:6 prophesies, "On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined."

Doesn't that sound like an amazing time? The Party to End All Parties?

And that's why I love being God's Party Girl!

Discussion Questions

1. The fulfillment of the kingdom of God seemed to be pretty important to the King. What internal real estate in your heart and life is He waiting for you to hand over to Him as its rightful owner?

2. Jesus' body was broken for you. Let yourself sit in the painful implications of what that means before distracting yourself. What is your response to Him?

3. He poured out His life, His blood, for you. What did His blood do to your sin, guilt, and shame? (Hint: 1 John 1:7) Have you worshiped Him for that lately?

4. What is it about earthly parties that doesn't fully satisfy? Can you imagine a heavenly party that deeply, perfectly satisfies and delights? It's coming!