Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Luke 22:14-30 (Mt. 26:26-30; Mk. 14:22-26)


A. T. Robertson whose Harmony of the Gospels we are using, places the order of events in the upper room like this:
·           Jesus rebukes the disciples for their jealousy.
·           Jesus washes the disciples feet (Jn. 13:1-20).
·           Jesus identifies His betrayer (as they are eating the meal).
·           Jesus warns the disciples, predicts Peter’s denial.
·           Jesus institutes the memorial of the Lord’s Table.
·           Jesus encourages the disciples concerning His departure and prays for them and us, in the upper room and on the way to Gethsemane (John 14-17).

This order seems reasonable but assumes that they had enjoyed the meal first (John 13:2) during which they argued about greatness.  Then it appears after Judas had departed Jesus led them in the symbolic cups and the eating of the bread.  In the case of Luke, he does not say that the argument happened after the meal but only that it happened in the context of the evening together.  However we understand the order of events it is amazing that the Lord’s Table was instituted in the context of another of those prideful arguments.  You may remember that Paul’s instruction on this in 1 Cor. 11 is also in the context of Christians who are not showing love and humility with each other.

Luke speaks of two cups.  In the traditional Seder there were four cups.  Luke probably speaks of the first, the Kiddush, received at the start of the meal.  This fits with Jesus’ significant words that He would not observe Passover again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.  What that means is that He will celebrate Passover at that time, as we do today, as a memorial that looks back at the cross.
The importance of the Lord’s Table for us today cannot be understated.  Jesus is declaring the establishment of the New Covenant.  This had been promised by the prophets with many valuable passages worthy of further study such as: Jer. 31:31-34; Isa. 55:1-5; 59:21; Ezek. 36:26-28 and Joel 2:28-32.  This covenant would replace the Mosaic Covenant.  It would provide for the forgiveness of iniquity so that God would be able to put His law into the minds and hearts of His people and they would know Him in a deep way and truly be His people.  This special relationship with God would be accomplished by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit who would come to dwell in the hearts of God’s people.

None of this could happen as long as there is no true solution to the sin that separates man from God.  But on this night Jesus was saying that the time was near.  On this Passover He would shed His blood to provide the means by which God could say, I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more (Jer. 31:34).  We all who by faith have received this full and complete forgiveness would regularly remember this by observing the Lord’s Table.  Let us praise the Name above all names, our Lord Jesus Christ!

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