The Lord's Supper (Palm Sunday)

Luke 22:14–30 KJV 1900

And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. 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. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing. And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

The Lord’s Supper

The Lord's Supper, also known as the Last Supper, is a meal that Jesus shared with His disciples the night before His crucifixion. The event is recorded in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and is an important part of Christian tradition.

The Last Supper took place during the Jewish festival of Passover, which was a time when Jews from all over the world would come to Jerusalem to celebrate. Passover commemorated the Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt, and was a time of remembrance, thanksgiving, and celebration.

During the Passover meal, the head of the household would recount the story of the Israelites' liberation, and the family would eat symbolic foods, such as unleavened bread and bitter herbs. The meal was a time for families to come together and remember God's faithfulness and provision.

In this context, Jesus and His disciples gathered together to celebrate the Passover meal. During the meal, Jesus took bread and wine, and gave thanks, and then told His disciples that the bread represented His body, which would be given for them, and the wine represented His blood, which would be poured out for them.

The significance of the Lord's Supper lies in its connection to Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross. By using the familiar symbols of the Passover meal, Jesus was showing His disciples that He was the true Passover Lamb, whose sacrifice would bring liberation from sin and death.

Outside of the Last Supper, there was much political and social upheaval in Jerusalem. The city was under Roman occupation, and the Jews were looking for a Messiah who would deliver them from oppression. Jesus had become a popular figure among the people, and His teachings and miracles had attracted a large following.

However, many of the religious leaders were threatened by Jesus' popularity, and they plotted to have Him arrested and executed. This led to Jesus' arrest and trial, and ultimately, His crucifixion on the cross.

In this context, the Lord's Supper takes on even greater significance, as it marks the beginning of the end of Jesus' earthly ministry, and sets the stage for His ultimate sacrifice on the cross. The Lord's Supper is a powerful reminder of Jesus' love and faithfulness, and a symbol of the hope and salvation that He offers to all who believe in Him.

Passover Meal Elements

The Passover meal, also known as the Seder, is a traditional Jewish meal that is celebrated during the festival of Passover. The meal consists of several symbolic foods, each of which has a specific meaning and significance. Here are the elements of the Passover meal:

Kadesh - The Kiddush: The meal begins with the recitation of Kiddush, which is a blessing over a cup of wine.

Urchatz - Handwashing: The hands are washed before eating the Karpas (vegetables).

Karpas - Greens: A vegetable, usually parsley, is dipped into salt water and eaten as a symbol of the tears shed during slavery in Egypt.

Yachatz - Breaking the Matzah: The middle matzah is broken and the larger piece is saved for later in the meal.

Maggid - The Story: The story of the Exodus from Egypt is told, often with the help of a Haggadah, a special book that guides the Seder.

Rachtzah - Handwashing: The hands are washed again, this time with a blessing, before eating the Matzah.

Motzi Matzah - Blessing over the Matzah: The Matzah is blessed and eaten as a reminder of the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt.

Maror - Bitter Herbs: A bitter herb, usually horseradish, is eaten as a reminder of the bitterness of slavery.

Korech - Hillel's Sandwich: The bitter herbs and matzah are combined in a sandwich as a reminder of the slavery and the hope of redemption.

Shulchan Orech - The Festive Meal: A festive meal is eaten, often featuring roasted lamb or chicken.

Tzafun - The Afikomen: The larger piece of matzah that was saved earlier is eaten as a dessert.

Barech - Grace After Meals: The grace after meals is recited, along with a special prayer for the holiday of Passover.

Hallel - Songs of Praise: Psalms of praise are recited or sung, celebrating God's deliverance of the Israelites from slavery.

Nirtzah - Closing: The Seder is closed with a prayer of hope and a declaration of faith in God's faithfulness and provision.

Overall, the Passover meal is a time of remembrance, thanksgiving, and celebration, as Jews around the world gather to remember God's deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, and to look forward to the hope of redemption.

Cups of Wine

During the Passover meal, there were four cups of wine that were typically consumed. Each of the four cups had a symbolic significance, representing a different aspect of God's deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.

The four cups were:

Cup of Sanctification: This cup was drunk at the beginning of the Passover meal and symbolized the sanctification of the people of Israel as God's chosen people. It was a reminder that God had set them apart and delivered them from bondage. Cup of Deliverance: This cup was drunk after the meal and symbolized God's deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It was a reminder of God's mighty acts on behalf of His people and the miraculous way in which He had brought them out of Egypt. Cup of Redemption: This cup was drunk after the second cup and symbolized the redemption of the people of Israel. It was a reminder that God had redeemed His people from slavery and brought them into a new life of freedom and prosperity. Cup of Praise: This cup was drunk at the end of the Passover meal and symbolized the praise and thanksgiving that the people of Israel offered to God for His deliverance. It was a reminder that God had brought them out of slavery and into a new life of joy and blessing.

In the context of the Last Supper, it is likely that Jesus and His disciples would have consumed these four cups of wine during the Passover meal. However, the Gospels do not specifically mention the cups, and it is possible that Jesus may have given them new significance, as He did with the bread and wine that He used to represent His body and blood.

Regardless, the four cups of wine in the Passover meal serve as a powerful reminder of God's deliverance of His people from slavery, and the hope and freedom that He offers to all who put their faith in Him.

Judas Betrayal

The statement "Behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table" was made by Jesus during the Last Supper, as recorded in Luke 22:21-23. The statement is a reference to Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' twelve disciples, who would soon betray Him.

Judas had been a trusted disciple of Jesus, but he had become disillusioned with Jesus' teachings and had agreed to betray Him to the Jewish authorities for thirty pieces of silver. Jesus was aware of Judas' betrayal, and at the Last Supper, He revealed that one of His disciples would betray Him.

During the meal, Jesus took bread and wine, and gave thanks, and then told His disciples that the bread represented His body, which would be given for them, and the wine represented His blood, which would be poured out for them. He also warned them that one of them would betray Him.

The disciples were shocked and saddened by this news, and each one asked Jesus if he was the one who would betray Him. When Judas asked, Jesus replied, "Behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table."

This statement is significant because it reveals Jesus' knowledge of Judas' betrayal, and His acceptance of the events that would soon unfold. Despite Judas' treachery, Jesus continued to love him and offer him grace and forgiveness, even in the face of imminent betrayal. The statement also serves as a reminder to all believers of the importance of examining our own hearts and motives, and being mindful of the potential for betrayal and sin. Just as Judas' betrayal served as a warning to the disciples, it can also serve as a warning to us to guard our hearts and remain faithful to God.

Lack of Focus

During the Last Supper, as recorded in the Gospels, Jesus and His disciples gathered together for a meal in an upper room in Jerusalem. As they were eating, Jesus began to speak to them about His impending arrest, trial, and crucifixion. He also spoke about the betrayal of one of the disciples and the denial of Peter. As the meal continued, the disciples began to lose focus and became distracted by their own concerns. According to Luke 22:24, "A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest." It's easy to imagine the scene: the disciples, who had followed Jesus for years and had witnessed countless miracles and teachings, were now feeling anxious and uncertain about what the future held. Perhaps they were feeling competitive with one another, each vying for a position of honor or authority. Or perhaps they were simply overwhelmed by the weight of Jesus' words and were struggling to process their emotions. Whatever the cause, the disciples' argument over who was the greatest must have been a disappointing and frustrating moment for Jesus. He had just spoken to them about the importance of humility and service, and now His own disciples were jockeying for position and status. In response to their argument, Jesus reminded them that the greatest among them should be the one who serves. He also used the opportunity to once again warn them of the challenges that lay ahead, telling them that Satan had asked to sift them like wheat. Despite their momentary lapse in focus and their argument over position, the disciples remained loyal to Jesus and would go on to play a crucial role in spreading His message of love and redemption to the world.

Comparison between the children of Israel being slaves to Pharaoh and humanity being slaves to sin today

The comparison between the children of Israel being slaves to Pharaoh and humanity being slaves to sin today highlights the universal nature of the struggle for liberation and freedom. In the book of Exodus, the Israelites were held in bondage in Egypt for generations, forced to work as slaves and endure harsh treatment at the hands of their oppressors. They cried out to God for help, and God responded by sending Moses to lead them out of captivity and into freedom. Similarly, today we see the widespread effects of sin in the world, which holds humanity in bondage and enslaves us to our own selfish desires and harmful actions. Like the Israelites in Egypt, we may feel trapped and powerless in the face of sin's destructive force. However, just as God heard the cries of the Israelites and acted to free them from slavery, He offers us a way out of our own enslavement to sin. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we can be liberated from the power of sin and set free to live in the fullness of God's grace and love. The story of the Israelites' liberation from Egypt serves as a reminder that God is always listening to our cries for help and is able to deliver us from whatever holds us in bondage. By trusting in God's power to save and following His lead, we can experience true freedom and the abundant life that He offers to us all.