Preparation for the Passover

Service Notes

VBI Video before Special

Announcement Video focuses on Anniversary Sunday

Next Steps: Baptism and Church Membership

Share dates for Lord’s Supper (4/2) & Passover Seder (Easter PM)

Bible Reading

Luke 22:1–23 (KJV)

1 Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.

2 And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.

3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.

4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.

5 And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.

6 And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.

7 Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.

8 And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.

9 And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare?

10 And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in.

11 And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?

12 And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.

13 And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.

15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:

16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:

18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

21 But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.

22 And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!

23 And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.

Prayer:

I do not get between the passage and God’s people / clarity

We will receive the Word today not as the words of men but as the eternal Word of God

Introduction

We have reached the crescendo of the gospel of Luke.

From Luke 22 to the end of this book, we will consider the sufferings and death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is not only the crescendo of Luke but of all human history.

Today we see the culmination of a story that started 1500 years before this passage of Luke 22.

We will see the last passover supper and the start of something new.

Today we look at the day of the preparation for the Passover lamb.

Parallel Preparation for the Passover

Preparation by John and Peter

Luke 22:8 “8 And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.”

Luke 22:8 KJV

8 And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.

1500 years of passover meals by the Jews.

History of the Passover

Exodus 12:2-3 “2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. 3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:”

Exodus 12:2–3 KJV

2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. 3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:

First month to you - showing that God was starting something new for them.

All the congregation - Though the feast was observed in each Israelite home, their united and simultaneous worship would help weld them together as a single community

A lamb for an house - this would be a meal, they could share with the neighbor if there home was small 12:4

Blood from the sacrifice placed on the door post - God will see the blood and pass over their homes

They were to be dressed ready to leave. This happens before their exodus from Egypt. Exodus 12:11 “11 And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD’S passover.”

On the night of Easter, Sam Wilson will walk us through this. As he will walk us through a passover seder.

Jesus made a way

Luke 22:10 “10 And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in.”

Luke 22:10 KJV

10 And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in.

This was sacrifice. Required being done in Jerusalem with the oversight of the Priests.

Location, especially an upper room as they will use, would be all but impossible to find without advance preparation.

In those days, typically women carried jars, men carried wine skins. So it was a little bit unusual that a man would be carrying a jar of water.

All they have to do is go over to the temple, get the lamb that has been prepared by the priests, and bring it back and set it out on the table.

The real Passover Lamb is being prepared for them and it's being prepared for them in the most striking and surprising way.

Preparation by Judas

Luke 22:1-7 “1 Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. 2 And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people. 3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. 4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. 5 And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. 6 And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude. 7 Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.”

Luke 22:1–7 KJV

1 Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. 2 And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people. 3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. 4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. 5 And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. 6 And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude. 7 Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.

How is the Passover Lamb being prepared for them?

Through the betraying words and actions of an unfaithful disciple, Judas.

Judas had a noteable love for money. John 12:4-6 “4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him, 5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.”

John 12:4–6 KJV

4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him, 5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

Through the evil purposes of Satan.

Through the scheming of the religious leaders.

Just imagine the most famous religious leaders of the day sitting around a table devising a plan. They needed Jesus away from the mulitude. Then Judas walks in.

Judas fulfilling prophecy

Judas asks “what can he get?” Matthew 26:15 “15 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.”

Matthew 26:15 KJV

15 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.

The amount had been prophesied 500 years before. Zechariah 11:12-13 “12 And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. 13 And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.”

Zechariah 11:12–13 KJV

12 And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. 13 And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.

The negotiation.

The amount and the fact it was silver

But why did it say cast at the potter? Matthew 27:3-11 tells us Judas has remorse, returns money, and hangs himself. They buy a potters field to bury the poor.

Both the last and the ultimate Passover Lambs were Prepared

Jesus as our final and ultimate passover Lamb was being prepared. 1 Corinthians 5:7 “7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:”

1 Corinthians 5:7 KJV

7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

One is sitting on the table prepared by John and Peter.

The second will walk there, wash the feet of the one who will betray Him, and sit down.

Side Note:

Remember John and Peter were led to the room by a man carry water? Incredible preparation made for this day.

2000 years before this night Abraham took Isaac to the land of Moriah to sacrifice son - a substitution was made

1000 years before this night David disobeyed God and had his army counted and a death angel was sent to Jerusalem - the angel stops outside the city

David buys the land, where the angel stops, from Ornan the Jebusite

When Solomon goes to build the temple - the place where the passover sacrifice will be made - 2 Chronicles 3:1 “1 Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the LORD appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.”

2 Chronicles 3:1 KJV

1 Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the LORD appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.

Do you know where the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite was? It was on Mount Moriah. Jesus is somewhere within yards of the temple.

Yes, God sent a person carrying water to help John and Peter know where to go.

Yes, God had done all these things for Israel so they could see the picture of redemption

Yes, God has preserved His Word and placed in your lap today so you will see all this. DO NOT MISS IT!

Two Stories Merge at the Table

After Jesus had washed the feet of the disciples he says Luke 22:15 “15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:”

Luke 22:15 KJV

15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:

The Table is Set

Disciples are still yet to embrace all that is about to happen.

Even after the resurrection they will be slow to believe. John 20:9 “9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.”

John 20:9 KJV

9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

The disciples didn’t understand.

They argued.

They did things they shouldn’t have.

They didn’t ask questions they should have.

They were ordinary people.

Those Jesus was fully prepared, they were not that day they sat down to this meal.

Jesus has made it clear to us all that He is fully aware.

The holiness of God is written on every sentence of God’s Word.

Now the Lamb of God sits down at the table for the Passover Meal.

Those around the table

One will lay is head on the chest of Christ.

One will make statements in pride and deny Christ in the days to come.

The other disciples, whom Jesus washed their feet, will scatter when Jesus goes to the cross.

One is considering what he will do with the money he will get for betraying Him.

Jesus completely knew who was around the table as He knows each of us completely around the room.

He knows all this and he says he had great desire to eat the passover with them before He suffers.

You could not ever possibly be loved any greater because there is not greater expression of love possible.

Let this resonant in your souls for just a moment because what Jesus is emphasizing is His earnest desire for this event. We have no idea how much He loves you. We really don't.

Think for a moment about the things that you most want no one to know about you, the shame, the disgrace, the sin, the humiliation that you most want no one to know. Christian, your Savior said to the Father, “I want to bear that sin for her. I want to bear that sin for him.”

Never said before

The break between the Passover and the institution of the Lord’s Supper happens in vs. 18-19

Paul gives us the most details and he tells us that he received it as a direct revelation from the Lord.

1 Corinthians 11:23-24 “23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.”

1 Corinthians 11:23–24 KJV

23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

We see the example being followed that Jesus set that night. Luke 22:19 “19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.”

Luke 22:19 KJV

19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

He has prepared the meal and now He was preparing the disciples for tomorrow.

is death tomorrow is going to be a sacrifice for sin

His broken body will be the sacrifices the entire Old Testament has pointed to

Everything they have ever known about the sacrificial lamb should have come into focus. Isaiah 53:4-5 “4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

Isaiah 53:4–5 KJV

4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Tomorrow when you see Me hanging from a cross, the instrument of death for the cursed. Know that I will not be the victim of Romans; I will be the Lamb of God sent to take away the sins of the world. I will be the substitute for your sins. I will bear your sins. That's what I'm doing tomorrow.

Please, do not miss this. You have given the full picture.

History tell us that it was common for believers to preach from Exodus 19 about Jesus as the Final Passover Lamb. This was not a creative sermon series they invented. It was shown to us in Scripture.

This passage emphasizes to us three life-giving truthes about the person and work of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ

Jesus is the Passover Lamb given for the redemption of His people

John 1:29 “29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”

John 1:29 KJV

29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Jesus is the substitutionary sacrifice on behalf of them for the forgiveness of their sins.

Galatians 3:13 “13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:”

Galatians 3:13 KJV

13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Jesus willing and lovingly died in our place.

Luke 22:15 “15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:”

Luke 22:15 KJV

15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:

Let’s prepare to meet around the table together

When John and Peter were prepared to meet they had 1500 years of example, you and I have nearly 2000

Now you also have 21 days. We will meet at the Lord’s Table on April 2nd at 5 pm

Practical Preparation

Clear in our terms.

We do not meet for a sacrifice. The final sacrifice has been made.

We do not refer to this as a sacrament. The common us of the word now means that priests are involved and they are bestowing grace upon you as you work toward your salvation.

We do not use the term Eucharist. Refers to a feast of gratitude however, that expression refers to bestowing grace.

We call this an ordinance. Jesus gave to ordinances for the church to maintain. Baptism & the Lord’s Supper.

Expression used by the early church in the book of Acts

Acts 20:7 “7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.” Everyone would have known what they meant by this; “breaking of bread”

Acts 20:7 KJV

7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

1 Corinthians 10:21 “21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.”

1 Corinthians 10:21 KJV

21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.

I would like for you to know and use this expression as well. It is so much warmer than the word ordinance and it is a Biblical expression.

This meeting at the table has a specific and designed purpose

We do this in remembrance of Christ being the sacrifice for our sins.

This ordinance was given to us t as individuals but as a church. / I do not gather the Cornwell’s together to do this in my home.

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper is a means for which God has given us to help protect our understanding of the Gospel

Our churches are made up of saved, baptized members. If is is not, then it simply is not a church.

Though, as a church, we do invite others who are our guests to join us for the Lord’s Supper. We do so asking that they be saved, faithful members of another church living in obedience to God’s Word. This is a local church ordinance / celebration.

If you have yet to be baptized. Take that step today.

If you are not a member. Let me encourage you become one. We will help you find a way in which you can share your testimony with out church family by video, in person, or through a LifeGroup.

Personal Preparation

1. Examine Your Heart 1 Cor 11:28 “28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.”

1 Corinthians 11:28 KJV

28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

Notice we see no reference to self-barring yourself from the table.

Deal with the matters in your life that would prevent you from coming to the table in a proper manner.

In the examination process, we should look at our lives vertically, horizontally, internally, and externally.

In a vertical manner, we examine our relationship with God.  Are we walking with God or do we see a separation due to sin? James 4:8

In our horizontal examination, do we find any division between us and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ? Ephesians 4:32

In our internal examination, do we find un-confessed sins, idols of the heart, or private sins that we keep hidden from the public? 1 Corinthians 11:28

In our external examination, do we find anything that’s preventing us from living out the covenant we made with this church to share the message of Christ with this world Matthew 28:18-20

Let’s Pray Together

Conclusion

Today we saw recorded, in a beautiful manner, the parallel preparation for the last passover.

Believers we should always be moved when we see this expression of love for us.

Like John and Peter we should be looking to Jesus and asking what is next as we follow Him. Take this time to examine your hearts.

Maybe you would recognize today that has your heart is being examined that is weighed and found wanting.

Though you are not Judas, you know that you have no true love for the one who died for you.