70: Led by the Lamb (Luke 21:37-22:27) - Mother's Day

As we honor our Mothers today, memories flood our minds of Mothers consistently serving and watching out for us. Whether your mother is on earth or in eternity, many of us echo the words of Adam Sandler in Water Boy, “I love momma!” It seems like it should be easy to love and serve the one who has sacrificed SO MUCH for you.

Thankfully, many mothers have been living examples of Jesus - the ULTIMATE EXAMPLE of a SERVANT, whom John the Baptist called Jesus The LAMB OF GOD who takes away the sin of the world. Today we turn the corner in the Gospel of Luke and begin our ascent to the cross - where we are reminded that disciples are Jesus are Led by the Lamb.

PRAY

Luke 22:37-38 tells us that Jesus was teaching in the temple early in the morning for several days, with large crowds gathering to hear Him. Every evening he left Jerusalem and camped on the Mount of Olives.

Luke 22:1–2 (NIV)

1 Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, 2 and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread and Passover were 2 celebrations that were linked together, so mentioning one often meant both. Passover came on the Jewish calendar of Nisan 14–15, while the Feast of Unleavened Bread immediately followed on Nisan 15–21.

Darrell Bock writes:

"During this time pilgrims from all over the region flocked into Jerusalem for a national celebration, rather like a combination of the Independence Day and Thanksgiving holidays in the United States. The combined Jewish feast celebrated salvation."

Passover celebrated the night of Israel’s exodus from Egypt (Ex 12), where God killed the firstborn in Egypt but 'passed over' the Jewish people who had obeyed God. The Feast of Unleavened Bread immediately followed as a reminder of the hurried journey out of Egypt, where people had no time to prepare leavened bread.

So it's during this deeply significant national celebration that the religious leaders were plotting how to kill Jesus. But how could they kill Jesus without causing an uproar from the many people who had coming to listen to His teaching?

Verses 3-6 tell us how Judas was influenced by Satan to betray Jesus into their hands. They paid him and he was looking for a time when few people would be around.

Luke 22:7–8 (NIV)

7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”

Kent Hughes notes that, “The lamb was slain on Nisan 14 between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. At 6:00 p.m., when the new day began for the Jews, Nisan 15, the Passover meal was eaten, thus also beginning the week of the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Nisan 15–21).”

If Peter & John followed the Jewish practice of the day, they would have taken an unblemished lamb to the Temple where a shofar played a sustained blast, and the sacrifices began. Along with thousands of other pilgrims, Peter & John would have approached two long rows of priests holding silver & gold basins. Each Israelite would slaughter his own lamb, and the priest would catch the blood in the basin, and then toss the blood at the base of the altar. As Peter & John left the temple, the slain lamb and its skin was draped over one of their shoulders.

But WHERE were they to prepare this meal? In verses 10-13 Jesus tells Peter & John were to look for a MAN carrying a water jar. This was highly unusual as women carried water JARS while men carried water in SKINS…maybe like a backpack vs. a purse.

And sure enough, they found him and followed him to his home to prepare the Passover meal. According to the custom of the day, Peter & John would have presented the skin to the owner of the house, put the lamb roast on, prepared the rest of the meal, light candles as dark fell, and wait for Jesus and the others.

And so begins the last few hours before Jesus is arrested & killed.

Luke 22:14 (NIV)

14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table.

“In Jesus’ time the celebration had added elements beyond the Old Testament’s prescriptions. There was a seder, a set order of service (M. Pesahim 10.1-9).” Whereas Exodus 12:11 says those eating of the Passover meal in Egypt were to have sandals fastened on the their feet, staff in hand, and eat quickly, the Jews of Jesus’ day reclined while they ate - because they were no longer slaves running from Egypt.

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 until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”

What in the world was Jesus talking about?

The feast Jesus had celebrated every year of His life was to be His last before He suffers. As we will see, this meal was more than just another Passover memorial of the EXODUS from EGYPT. This meal would point to a FUTURE EXODUS from the slavery of SIN.

This night would forever transform how the Jewish followers of Jesus viewed the Passover.

If you have read or watched the Chronicles of Narnia you remember when Aslan - the Lion King - is killed. But when you UNDERSTAND that Aslan was a symbol for another - it changes how you appreciate the scene. [The STONG LION willingly approaches his enemies, allows himself to be tied down, have his main shaved, and is brutally stabbed while his enemies celebrate.] I remember my young son watching the movie with me. I think he noticed the tears in my eyes and he looked up at me and said,, "Daddy, that's supposed to be Jesus isn't it?"

Yes, the lion was just a symbol for Jesus. So too, after Jesus suffered, died, & rose from the dead…His disciples would too say… “So the lamb, the unleavened bread, & the wine in the Passover meal…that’s supposed to be Jesus…isn’t it?”

This is what Jesus looked forward to as He showed them what Passover really pointed to - His suffering would bring their salvation - OUR SALVATION - and one future day He will recline with His followers in the kingdom of God.

Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)

2 …For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Luke 22:17–19 (NIV)

17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you.

18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them…

Check out this rich symbolism: Jesus gave them the unleavened bread…

representing the quick departure from the slavery of Egypt.

Further, leaven was often used as a symbol for SIN, which is probably why God did NOT ALLOW leaven in offerings sacrificed to Him on the altar (Ex 23:18; 34:25).

In fact, the night before the Passover meal the people would collect all leaven in their homes using candlelight and a spoon. After all the leaven was collected it would be burnt by the priests. So removing of leaven symbolized removing pride & corruption from the camp!

With that in mind, now listen to what Jesus said…

19 And he took bread [the unleavened bread], gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

The apostles didn’t yet understand what this meant…but they would.

Before we look at what Jesus says about the cup, listen what happened when God established the Old Covenant with Moses and the people coming out of Egypt:

Exodus 24:6–8 (NIV)

6 Moses took half of the blood and put it in bowls, and the other half he splashed against the altar. 7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, “We will do everything the Lord has said; we will obey.” 8 Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.”

Kent Hughes writes: “The altar, people, and book dripped with blood. It was not a pretty sight, except in its supreme symbolism. The Old Covenant was launched on a sea of blood for two reasons. First, to emphasize the seriousness of sin. Second, to teach that the payment for sin is death.”

Blood was shed and animals died as substitutions for people’s sin, because SIN is SERIOUS to God. Our culture downplays sin. Many of US downplay sin in our own lives and in the lives of others.

Sadly, some discount the Scripture entirely, implying that God’s words are no longer relevant.

Some of us dilute our disobedience by talking about our ‘struggles’ or ‘mistakes’…instead of calling it was it is: SIN - a willful act of disobedience against our God.

We often justify our sin rather than repenting of it. And we too need to be reminded of this BIG TRUTH…

BIG TRUTH: Our Sin is Serious. His Payment is Precious.BIG TRUTH: Our Sin is Serious. His Payment is Precious.BIG TRUTH: Our Sin is Serious. His Payment is Precious.BIG TRUTH: Our Sin is Serious. His Payment is Precious.

BIG TRUTH: Our Sin is Serious. His Payment is Precious.

His body was given for us! And His blood was spilt…for us! How can we wink at the things that took the Lamb of God to the cross?

Luke 22:20(NIV)

20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

Again, the apostles didn’t understand the significance of this yet…but they would! Look what Peter - who was at that last supper, later writes:

1 Peter 1:1–2 (NIV)

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces…2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

Do you see it? Jesus is the passover Lamb, beaten & bloodied…and KILLED for us!

BIG TRUTH: Our Sin is Serious. His Payment is Precious.

Can you imagine the struggling thoughts in the room THAT night?

This is your LAST PASSOVER with us…until the KINGDOM? What do you mean?

Your Body & Blood are given for us? How did the Passover celebration become a deathbed discourse?

And then Jesus drops this bombshell…

Luke 22:21-23 (NIV)

21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!” 23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.

Note: Just because someone claims to love Jesus doesn’t mean they really do.

Evidently the apostles began to compare themselves to each other, jockeying for position, and maybe even pointing fingers.

“Hey Peter, remember that time when you blew it…I mean Jesus even said, ‘Get behind me - SATAN!’…maybe it’s you…but it’s NOT me!”

So rather than being Led by the Lamb, the greatest servant in the room, the apostles resorted to childlike… ‘me first’ mentality.

Luke 22:24–27 (NIV)

24 A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

We are Led by the Lamb who serves others. He GAVE HIS LIFE for ours! And we LOVE that! The problem is…we often don’t want to act like Jesus.

A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin, 5, Ryan, 3. The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson. "If Jesus were sitting here, He would say 'Let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait.'

Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, "Ryan, you be Jesus!"

FEET2FAITH a challenge for followers of Jesus:

Seek a way to SERVE another in the Name of Jesus

- someone INSIDE the Body of Christ and someone OUTSIDE the Body of Christ.

What if you’re NOT yet a follower of Jesus…or you claim Him but aren’t following Him.

Question: Why would you NOT give your life to Jesus - the One who gave His life for you?

BIG TRUTH: Our Sin is Serious. His Payment is Precious.

Have you somehow diluted seriousness of your sin?

Or discounted the precious payment of Jesus?

WHY would you NOT want to give your life to Him?

PRAY What do you want me to do with what I heard today?

O the Blood - by Selah - during this video, I invite you to respond to whatever the Lord is doing in your life. You are welcome to sing along. You are welcome to pray at the steps. If I can help you, come grab me during this song.