Humbly, Seek the Lord and Obey Him at Every Opportunity

Scripture: Luke 22:1-34

Theme: Humbly, Seek the Lord and Obey Him at Every Opportunity

Introduction: I initially struggled as I was considering sharing this passage with you today. In considering the details of these narratives, I began to wonder how I would share it with you and the Lord surprised me by what He has taught me through this passage. Today, I want us to consider from the passage at hand: Humbly, Seek the Lord and Obey Him at Every Opportunity.

Transition: First, let’s consider some general pieces of information from the passage.

Background: Something that I want you to notice about the passage before us is how quickly the Holy Spirit takes us through different events.

First, Luke briefly reminds us of the desire of the chief priests and scribes to apprehend Jesus and then quickly notes Judas’ negotiation with them.

Then, we have Jesus providing detailed instruction to His disciples concerning where they will observe the Passover meal.

Finally, the meal and what follows covers from verse 14 to verse 38!

That’s more than the first two sections combined!

What the Holy Spirit is doing is inviting us to gradually experience these events like we’re right there with the disciples as Luke adds more and more detail and begins to slow down the pacing.

Transition: With this overview in mind, let’s work through the passage by approaching it in three sections. First, let’s discuss events ...

Before the Day of Passover (Luke 22:1-6)

We know that this took place before the Passover as Luke indicated that the Passover was near. (v. 1)

The term ‘approaching’ references something that is near either in time or physical distance.

It actually begins the passage and calls attention to the closeness of the event.

Notice how the chief priests are referenced as ‘they were afraid of the people’. (v. 2)

This phrase was first used in Luke 20:19.

Hence, it is repeated nearly verbatim here.

What is implied by it’s repetition here? - nothing has changed in the attitudes of these individuals towards Christ.

Like probably many of you, I have often thought, “What made them afraid of the People?”.

Noticeably, Luke does not provide specific insights to that effect.

Instead, we’re meant to conclude that there is something wrong since it drive them to wanting to take Jesus into custody and murder Him.

Hence, we should be asking, what is wrong with fearing people?

What is wrong with their fear concerns the result!

What does their fear prompt them to do?

It prompts them to murder.

According to Proverbs 29:25, it brings a snare.

When we fear people, we are trapped into not fearing God.

Thus, these religious leaders were not practicing the fear of the Lord.

Let’s consider what the Holy Spirit shares concerning Judas and his interaction with these leaders.

Here are two verses that give us quite a bit of information about Judas.

This, as compared to what Luke shared in verse two concerning the other actors, points us to the Spirit’s intent to draw our focus specifically to Judas.

Hence, we are meant to linger more over what is shared about Judas.

The information concerning Judas begins with his possession by Satan.

The reference ‘entered into’ is used in a variety of places.

It can be used to call attention to entering into a home.

It was used in Luke 8 concerning the demon possession of the Gerasene demoniac.

Thus, what is before us is Satan’s entering into Judas to possess him for the devilish task at hand.

In studying this passage, I began to consider, “Why would Satan choose Judas?”

In other words, there must have been something about Judas and his behavior that made him a prime target for Satan.

As far back as Luke 6:16, Luke references how Judas “became a traitor”.

Hence, we’re immediately presented with this fact early on without any further information about how until Luke 22

By implication, then, Judas as far back as his calling as a disciple exhibited the characteristics that would eventually lead to his betrayal of Christ.

Keep in mind that this reference comes without any acknowledgment of Satanic possession/influence

Thus, we are meant to expect Judas’ betrayal with or without Satanic influence.

With the reference in verse 5 to Judas receiving a sum of money, this may imply further the temptation that Satan capitalized on in Judas.

Following their agreement, the passage describes the ‘gladness’ that was experienced.

This term is employed throughout Luke to describe rejoicing, even that of the Parable of the Father who found his lost son in Luke 15.

It’s a little ambiguous as to who this is referring to so that it could mean not just the religious leaders but also Judas.

This then prompts us to consider, “What is it that the religious leaders (and possibly Judas) are rejoicing over?”

The opportunity to apprehend Jesus

The opportunity to murder Jesus

There are several pieces of application that I drew from this.

Those who by their behavior are seemingly following Jesus may not actually possess faith in Jesus.

Pastor Brady touched on this last Sunday from 2 Peter 2.

The tragedy of such a reality not only includes that lost individuals but those whose lives they have impacted.

Our sinful desires have destructive consequences when acted upon.

While James 4 demonstrates this in detail, we see it illustrated in these two groups and this single individual.

Though I believe that it’s impossible for Satan, let alone any demon, to possess a Christian as we have the Spirit’s indwelling, it does not exempt us from their influence during temptation.

Paul highlights this possibility in Ephesians 4 concerning anger.

The reality is that, since we have a sin nature, we are capable of sinning.

As Paul testified, it’s only God’s grace that keeps us (1 Corinthians 15:10).

Thus, while the Christian’s temptation to sin will not involve Satanic possession, it can involve Satanic influence that we must be wary of.

To ward off such temptation demands that we humbly seek and submit to the Lord, acknowledging before Him our capability to sin and our need for His strength to resist temptation.

Luke has already given us the model for fighting temptation in the example of Christ in Luke 4.

Hence, we are confident that victory over sin is possible, but through Christ.

We can sum it up this way …

We are capable of sinning under Satanic influence because we have a sin nature

We need the power of the Spirit using God’s Word in our lives to fend off against temptation

We need to humbly acknowledge our capability of sinning and seek the Lord against temptation

Transition: The chief priests’ and scribes’ fear drove them to murder and Judas’ likely desire for money made him a prime candidate for Satan to possess him. Let us humbly seek the Lord in the midst of temptation so that we would not be subject to our sinful desires. We move now from before the Day of Passover to ...

The Day of the Passover (Luke 22:7-13)

I initially struggled with this section.

I thought, “What can we learn from this narrative about preparing for a meal?”

The Lord’s response: “A lot!”

Notice how this section concerning the Passover preparation becomes longer but covers a shorter period of time.

Verse 8 begins this next narrative with a theme that we’re very familiar with: the Word of Christ.

We’ve seen this demonstrated for us in Luke 8 where we move from Jesus’ message to the power of His Words.

Thus, there’s going to be a great display that we will need to consider concerning Jesus’ Words.

When we consider the details of Jesus’ instruction, it’s almost as if the Spirit is inviting us to experience this as Peter and John would.

It’s almost as if we’re there with Peter and John, receiving this instruction.

Then, we walk along with them searching for those specific elements that Christ pointed out.

It builds our anticipation until we see each element confirmed before us.

This is literary mastery that engages our sensory experience.

What’s interesting about this passage concerns the parallels that it has with two other passages in Luke.

The parallel centers on the use of the phrase “found … just as”.

In Luke 19:32, we have the triumphal entry of Christ.

Here, Christ has given instruction about the colt that He was to ride on into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

While the disciples did not question Jesus as Jesus gave specific instructions beforehand, the disciples were questioned as they were untying the colt.

Thus, the reality of Jesus’ Word was confirmed.

The next concerns Luke 24:24.

Anyone want to venture a guess as to the context for this section?

The resurrection of Christ!

The women who found the tomb empty told the disciples who found the same empty just as the women had shared.

While it was the women who shared this message, they confirmed what Jesus had predicted back in Luke 9, thus confirming Christ’s Word.

This points us to three things about Christ’s Word that we learn here.

The disciples went, trusting the Word of the Lord to be true.

The disciples found the reality of Jesus’ Word to be true.

The disciples obeyed the Word of the Lord in preparing the Passover meal.

While Jesus may not have asked us to get Him a ride or prepare a meal, there are other things He has asked us to do.

Husbands, love your wives.

Wives, respect your husbands.

Employees, serve the Lord rather than seek to please men.

Within each of these tasks, there can be the temptation to consider them mundane, everyday and to get weary.

Truthfully, I experienced this recently and had to confess to the Lord and to Carrie.

A song that the Lord brought to mind that I would encourage you to listen to is entitled, “I Run to Christ”.

We’ve sung it as a choir before.

The 2nd verse goes, “I run to Christ, when worn by life and find my soul refreshed. “Come unto Me,” He calls through strife; Fatigue gives way to rest. I run to Christ when vexed by hell And find a mighty arm. The Devil flees, the Scriptures tell; He roars but cannot harm.”

Transition: Even in the most mundane, we have the opportunity to trust God’s Word, as we see it’s reality before us, and then act in obedience. Having considered the Day of the Passover, let’s now look into the extended narrative concerning ...

The Feast of the Passover (Luke 22:14-34)

The Passover Meal (Luke 22:14-18)

The intimacy of the gathering is implied by the use of the word ‘reclined’.

This word is used in three other places.

Luke 11 is the context of Jesus eating at a Pharisee’s home, where it was an invitation of honor.

Luke 14 similarly emphasizes the understanding as a place of honor also.

Luke 17 introduces the concept of rest when Jesus uses the parable to distinguish a master from his servants.

Hence, with Jesus and the disciples gathered in this manner, it is not just a great honor that they are all celebrating together but they are in a relaxed/restful state.

Notice how the Lord opens this meal.

He says “I have earnestly desired …”

The literal translation is, “I desired with desire”

Jesus has greatly desired to share in the Passover meal with His disciples.

What has prompted Jesus to desire to eat this meal with His disciples?

He’s going to suffer.

He’s not going to eat it again until God’s Kingdom comes.

The Lord speaks of this circumstance like a going away party.

The Lord has just told His disciples, I’ve been looking forward to this meal because it’s going to be a while before we enjoy it together again.

However, He’s implicitly giving His disciples the promise that the Kingdom is coming.

The Lord’s Table (Luke 22:19-23)

Did you notice how Pastor Brady began the Lord’s table on Sunday by visibly breaking the bread before us last Sunday?

Think about the rich symbolism

We take the Lord’s Table bread and we crush it with our teeth to be consumed

Our Lord’s body was crushed and broken in order that when we receive His sacrifice (and resurrection) by faith as our Lord and Savior, we are made His children

Each time we partake of the Lord’s Table, we are to rekindle afresh the memory of Christ’s horrific sacrifice.

When you consume the bread, when your teeth are crushing that article of food, recall to mind the tragedy of the cross and the suffering that Christ experienced.

That’s actually why I try to be very measured with my bites as I am attempting to focus on the wounds inflicted on Christ’s body with every time I chew.

Notice, how Jesus’ reference to His betrayal turns from a discussion of who this individual would be to a consideration of greatness!

The Need for Humble Service (Luke 22:24-30)

This is not the first dispute of this kind.

The disciples took up this topic in Luke 9:46.

You would think that the disciples have learned their lesson.

However, because it surfaces again, it demonstrates what’s going on in their hearts.

The tragedy of the circumstance lies in the fact that it surfaces when Jesus has just acknowledged that He would be betrayed.

You would think that this would be foremost now in their conversation.

Notice, whose approval as the greatest are the disciples seeking?

Truth is, while it might be implied the Lord, we really don’t know.

Hence, it could be that the disciples are wanting to be acknowledged by others as being the greatest.

Before we chide the disciples too hastily, how often do we allow a tragedy to become an opportunity to boost ourselves?

Christ, instead, points them to two examples of greatness.

First, He calls attention to the younger.

According to 1 Peter 5:5, the younger are to submit to the older in humility.

What would prompt Peter to make this observation?

Generally speaking, those who are younger want to exercise their independence.

Instead, the younger are to humbly submit.

Next, Jesus references being like a servant, with Himself as the illustration.

What kind of service did Jesus exemplify?

Sacrificial service.

Jesus is calling on His followers to pattern an attitude of humility who are ready to serve in such a way that they sacrifice for others.

The Need for Humble Faith (Luke 22:31-34)

Often, when I have read this section, I have read it anticipating Peter’s response.

Peter is brash and so we expect him to make a brash statement.

However, if we read it in light of who spoke this statement, what is the response that we should expect?

A Humble response!

Jesus just spoke of the need for humility.

Peter’s response, then, should surprise use instead.

Unfortunately, Peter’s response is filled with self-reliance.

Hence, this is the reason why Peter will deny Christ in having this lapse of faith.

And, it will happen very soon, as evidenced by the concluding reference to the rooster crowing.

The reality is, we face temptations to self-reliance on a regular basis.

Pastor Brady often warns us of a kind of self-reliance that undertakes and activity without seeking the Lord and thanking the Lord for the results.

Instead, we need to humbly acknowledge our own inadequacy and seek the Lord, like we’ve been learning from 2 Chronicles on Wednesday nights.

Conclusion: We’ve been admonished to humbly acknowledge our sinful tendencies while remaining faithful to the Lord’s Word even in the most mundane circumstances as we reflected on the sacrifice that has purchased our adoption into God’s family wherein He wants for us to humbly serve others as we seek Him instead of relying on ourselves.