April 25, 2021 - Luke 22:7-20

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                                                                                                          April 25, 2021

 Lessons Learned

Luke 22:7-20

by Wayne Gaeddert

1. Parallel passages events preceding and following the Last Supper:

• Matthew 26:17-30

• Mark 14:12-26

• John 13:1-30

• 1 Corinthians 11:17-32 (This passage only covers the Last Supper.)

2.  Passover was a celebration for the Jews to remind them of how God delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage.

• Unleavened bread- Prepared on short notice.

• Blood of an unblemished lamb on the doorpost substituted for the death of the firstborn in the family.

• A memorial celebration held each year that everyone was to observe. Exodus 12:42

• Neglecting Passover was a serious violation—“...cut off from his people.” Numbers 9:13

3. Passover was to be held at twilight. Leviticus 23:5

4. The Feast of Unleavened Bread was a week-long celebration.

5. The day of unleavened bread (v 7) was a day of preparation.

6. A dilemma:

• The synoptic gospels identify Jesus observing Passover with His disciples on Thursday evening.

• On Friday morning when Jesus was taken before Pilate, the Jewish officials would not enter the governor’s headquarters so they would not be defiled but could eat the Passover. John 18:28

7. Preparing for Passover:

• Remove all leaven from the residence. (Leaven is a symbol for sin.)

• At 3 PM the slaughtering of the lamb began in the temple. (This is the time at which Jesus died on the cross. See Matthew 27:46-50)

Ø  The priest caught the blood and sprinkled it at the base of the altar.

·        The lamb was carried to the residence to be roasted.

·        Acquire wine for the meal.

8. Passover symbols:

·        Bitter herbs: recalled their slavery in Egypt.

·        Stewed fruit: recalled making bricks.

·        The lamb reminded them of the blood on the doorposts and the death angel passing over the house.

9. Four cups associated with the Passover meal.

·        Cup of sanctification—sets this meal apart as special.

·        Cup of plagues—how the Egyptians suffered.

·        Cup of redemption—deliverance from the slavery of Egypt.

·        Cup of praise—Reciting Psalm 113-118.

10. Luke is the only gospel writer to mention two cups.

11. Observing Communion.

·        Bread—a symbol of the Lord’s body sacrificed for you.

·        Cup—A symbol of the Lord’s blood spilled out for you.

·        A reminder that the death (blood shed) of Jesus was a substitute for your sins which according to the Law is death.

·        We look back at His death in our place.

·        We look ahead to His triumphant return to reign.

12. Application:

·        Jesus was obedient to observe all the Old Testament feast regulations. As New Testament believers, we should not omit the ordinances Christ gave to the church of communion and baptism.

·        Jesus made the necessary preparation for Passover. We need to prepare ourselves for communion.

·        Communion is a reminder that Jesus will return to rule and reign.

·        The purpose of communion is to remind us that we are not our own, we are bought with a price. Our allegiance is to Christ. 1 Corinthians 6:20