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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