Series — The Road to the Resurrection — Message 11 — The Priority of Christ’s Final Passover Feast

Introduction

Good morning Church. I’d like to thank each and every person who has come out today and all those who may be joining online.

Today we are going to pick back up where we left of a few weeks ago in Matthew 26.

Today we will be looking at one of the most important stories in all the New Testament…what most know as “The Last Supper.”

The reason this passage is so important is because it is one of the two ordinances that we observe in the Baptist Faith.

The Lord’s Supper and Baptism are the two ordinances that we observe.

This was something that Jesus said to do in remembrance of Him until His return.

When we partake of the Lord’s Supper it is so that we will remember the sacrifice that He paid for our sins.

The life He lived. The death He died. And the miraculous resurrection that proved He was the one and only Son of God!

And when we partake of the Lord’s Supper, it is to be a solemn time, a time where we see ourselves as the sinners we are, a time where we see Jesus as the Savior He is, and a time of thanksgiving...understanding that only by His precious blood are we cleansed from our sinful state.

Though our sins be as scarlet, through the precious blood of Jesus they shall be made white as snow!

This is what makes this scripture so important!

Jesus would establish this night, a New Covenant for all who would come after.

No longer would the blood of bulls and goats be required as sacrifice for our sins but this new covenant would be established through Christ’s blood.

The perfect, sinless, blood of the one, true lamb of God!

This is the premise and foundation that would be established at this final passover feast and will last until His coming again.

With no further ado, if you have your Bible’s turned to Matthew 26:17 would you say, Amen.

The Preparation of the Passover Feast — (Vs. 17-19)

What is the Feast of Unleavened Bread? — It was often combined with the Feast of the Passover and the names were interchangeable. The Passover meal was to be held on the 14th of Nisan and then the Feast of Unleavened Bread would commence on the 15th of Nisan and run through the 21st of Nisan. Combined, it would be an eight day celebration commemorating the deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage.

The disciples He sent to prepare the meal, we know from Luke’s gospel were Peter and John.

There was a great deal of preparation that went into the Passover meal and every part was representative of some part of their bondage in Israel.

It would begin with the removing of any leaven from the residence…hence the reason it was called the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

There were two reasons for this...

When the children of Israel were delivered from the bondage of Egypt, they had to leave in such haste that they did not have time to bake their bread with leaven.

Exodus 12:34 KJV 1900

34 And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders.

Leaven was often representative of corruption and therefore by removing the leaven from the house, it was representative of removing sin and all that was corrupt from the home.

Next, came the preparation of the lamb. The lamb was to be slain at the temple between the hours of 3-5 pm and then it would be taken home and prepared to be eaten and anything that remained the next morning was to be burned.

Also, it was customary that only two people were allowed to enter into the temple with the lamb due to the massive crowds…hence the reason Jesus only sent Peter and John.

This was representative of the lambs that were slain and the blood that was applied to the door posts of the homes of the Children of Israel so that the death angel would pass over them.

The only way a family’s first born survived that final night in Egypt was if the blood of the sacrificial lamb was applied to the doorposts of the families house?

***Has the blood been applied to your door posts?***

Not only were there these two main tasks in preparing for the passover meal but also there were four more items that would also need to be prepared.

William Barclay writes — (1) A bowl of salt water had to be set upon the table, to remind them of the tears they had shed while they were slaves in Egypt and of the salt waters of the Red Sea through which God’s hand had wondrously brought them.

(2) A collection of bitter herbs had to be prepared, composed of horseradish, chicory, endive, lettuce, horehound and the like. This was again to remind them of the bitterness of slavery, and of the bunch of hyssop with which the blood of the lamb had been smeared on the lintel and the doorposts.

(3) There was a paste called the charosheth. It was a mixture of apples, dates, pomegranates and nuts. It was to remind them of the clay with which they had been compelled to make bricks in Egypt, and through it there were sticks of cinnamon to remind them of the straw with which the bricks had been made.

(4) Lastly, there were four cups of wine. These were to remind them of the four promises of Exodus 6:6–7: ‘I will free you from the burdens of the Egyptians and deliver you from slavery to them. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as my people, and I will be your God.’

Many items were on the agenda when it came to preparing the passover meal...all representative of their past and where God had brought them from.

This morning, we may not have been in bondage to Egypt, but we were all born into the bondage of sin!

And I want you to think this morning about your past and where God has brought you from!

Remember those times when you were lost and out in the world living just any ole way and then look at where God has brought you now and be thankful for His delivery by His mighty hand!

If you’re thankful for what God has delivered you from and where He’s brought you today say, Amen!

So, Jesus chooses Peter and John to go and prepare the passover meal for He and the disciples but there was a an air of obscurity in His instructions.

Look at Verse 18.

Mark and Luke tell us that this man they were looking for would be carrying a pitcher of water and that they were to follow him into the house and ask the owner where they should prepare the meal.

Why do you think that was? Why do you think the directions Jesus gave were so obscure?— Judas

Look back at...

Matthew 26:16 KJV 1900

16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

If Jesus had of disclosed the exact place that they would observe the passover feast there’s a good possibility that Judas would have told the high priests and they would have taken Jesus there but it was not His time.

There was a reason He needed to have this feast with His disciples as we will see in a moment and no man would thwart the providence and plans of God!

So, Peter and John go and find the place just as Jesus had said. They get the meal prepared and that brings us to…The Proclamation at the Passover Feast.

The Proclamation at the Passover Feast — (Vs. 20-25)

After the meal was prepared and the evening drew forth, the Bible tells us that Jesus sat down with the twelve.

Now, what we don’t see here in the Book of Matthew is that during the passover meal, at some point, another squabble over who is the greatest breaks out.

You can only imagine the disappointment running through Jesus mind at this moment.

“Really? Again? Haven’t we already had this discussion before?”

At this point, Jesus says...

Luke 22:25–27 KJV 1900

25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. 26 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. 27 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.

At this point, then the events of John 13 take place.

The Bible says in Verses 12-17 in the thirteenth chapter of John...

John 13:12–17 KJV 1900

12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

Then, after giving the disciples a lesson in servanthood, Jesus takes this sobering moment to go ahead and give them some more earth shattering news!

“One of you sitting here at the table with me will betray me!”

Can you imagine the disciple’s thoughts right here?

You’ve just gotten humbled by the one and only Son of God because you were more worried about status instead of servanthood and then He goes on to tell you that one of you were going to betray Him this night unto death!

They all begin to question Him… “Is it I Lord?”

I can only imagine the fear as each one asked.

All He gave them was…

Matthew 26:23–24 KJV 1900

23 And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. 24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.

Now, let me ask you something…don’t you think as those words left the lips of our Lord that they shook Judas to the core?

I mean how many of you have ever been in a situation as a kid or as an adult where you did something wrong and you knew it was wrong and then you got caught?

That feeling of just knots in the pit of your stomach…knowing you’ve just been caught and the outcome isn’t going to be good!

Anyone know that feeling?

I can only imagine with each passing disciple that asked… “Is it I Lord?”…that Judas was running every scenario he could through his mind.

“He knows! He knows what I’ve done! How could He know? I’ve been so careful! Now what? What am I supposed to do now? I have to play along or everyone else will know. Maybe He just knows someone is going to do it but He doesn’t know it’s me! If I play along, maybe He’ll never find out!”

So, what does Judas do?

He follows the other’s lead… “Lord is it I?”

It’s at this point we can only imagine the Lord’s reply fulfilled every fear Judas had!

“Thou has said!”

John’s gospel actually tells us that Jesus says to Judas… “that thou doest do it quickly.”

And then John’s gospel says...

John 13:28–30 KJV 1900

28 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him. 29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. 30 He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.

Can you imagine the guilt and shame that fell upon Judas when those words came forth?

“Judas…I know. I know it is you. I know what you have done.”

I can only imagine that Judas just melted inside and the only thing he could think of doing was getting out of there as fast as possible!

No one else knew what had been said and didn’t really give it a second thought but the betrayal had begun!

The end events had indeed been enacted!

Now, there’s a few things came to mind I don’t want you to overlook here in scripture.

Is the sovereignty of God.

Notice Jesus said there in verse 24… “the son of man goeth as it is written of Him.”

In Luke’s gospel, it says… “the Son of Man goeth as it was determined.”

In the Book of Acts Peter says in...

Acts 2:23 KJV 1900

23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

Listen Church, Judas was just a pawn in God’s master plan.

God knew what Judas would ultimately do. Jesus knew the plan. He wasn’t clueless. He knew exactly from day one how each and every distinct move would play out and it was all according to God’s plan!

That’s why Jesus said… “that thou doest, do it quickly!”

This morning Church, we look at the world and the chaos that it’s in. We see the turmoil that Jerusalem is facing right now and I can assure you that since we’re standing with them it’s coming here also. But we look around and often wonder what’s going on.

Dear friend, it’s all part of God’s plan!

Do you think that attack on Israel caught God off God?

Absolutely not!

God knew that was going to happen. You know who was behind it?

Satan was. And ole Satan thought He done got one over on God’s people but what he don’t know is that God knew about it before it ever happened!

Every move Satan makes is simply one more move in the direction of fulfilling God’s ultimate plan!

God is sovereign over all things!

Before the foundation of the world was ever created God knew every tiny little detail that would take place and everything that happens is simply a fulfilling of that plan.

Now, here’s where it get’s real good!

One of those tiny little details are you and I, Amen!

We are part of God’s master plan and don’t you ever let anyone tell you any different!

Ciara and Lindsy taught these little ones a few years back…God has a plan for me!

And dear friend, that could never be more true!

Every single person sitting here this morning is precious in the eyes of God and you are part of His master plan!

The question I have for you is this…how is God using you to fulfill His master plan?

Simply existing is not part of it I assure you of that.

God created you in His image. You are special and a special part of His plan and part of that plan is allowing Him to use you to lead others to Him!

Are you allowing His will to be done in your life?

Now, let me take this a step further which is the second part of this I want you to make sure you don’t miss.

Judas had a chance to change his course.

Listen friend, Judas had been caught red handed. There’s no doubt in my mind that Jesus looked Judas in the eye when He said… “that thou doest, do it quickly.”

It’s almost as if Jesus was saying to Judas heart to heart… “Judas there’s still time to turn from the wickedness you’re about to do. I love you Judas. It doesn’t have to be like this!”

Judas knew He’d been caught but the reality is that he still had a chance to change course.

Now, some might say that Judas didn’t have a choice but that’s not the case.

He had every chance to change course but instead he made a b-line to the high priests residence and told them where Jesus was and where He was about to be.

Now, the reason I say all that is to simply say this…you have a chance this morning to change the course you are on.

If you are saved, praise God! Get to work finding out His will for your life and get busy because time is the most precious thing you have and you can’t get one second back once it’s gone! So, use the time God has graciously given you to lead others to Him!

But, if you are lost and here this morning, you need to know God loves you. He created you. He knows the very fibers of your being. He knows your frame. He also knows the plans He has for you and it’s not His will that you should perish but that you would be gloriously saved through faith in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ who died for your sins.

You, just like Judas have a choice to make. Will you trust in Jesus this morning or will you be like Judas as we will see here in a week or two who kissed the door of heaven but busted hell wide open!

Jesus said it would have been better that the one who betrayed Him had never of been born!

Judas chose the world over Jesus and it would be a decision that drove him to his grave.

Don’t make that same mistake this morning dear friend.

If you are here and you’ve never trusted in Jesus, there’s still time. You can make that move right here today and I would beg you to do so.

I assure you on the authority of the Word of God that the alternative is not something you want to experience.

People use “hell” to lightly nowadays and I think it’s one reason so many people don’t take it seriously anymore.

They make light of going to hell and having a party. They speak of being a tour guide in hell.

Oh if they could only get a glimpse of what that reality is going to be like, I’d dare say not a soul would choose to spend eternity there.

This morning friend, choose Jesus before it’s too late. Don’t make the same mistake that Judas made.

We’ve seen The Preparation of the Passover Feast and The Proclamation at the Passover Feast. Now, let’s wind it to a close by looking at The Purpose of this Passover Feast.

The Purpose of this Passover Feast — (Vs. 26-28)

Read Hebrews 9-10:18

Hebrews 9–10:18 KJV 1900

1 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. 2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. 3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; 4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. 6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. 7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: 8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: 9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. 11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. 18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. 19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, 20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. 21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. 22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. 23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: 25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; 26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. 1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. 5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. 7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. 8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

The Promise at the Passover Feast — (Vs. 29)

Matthew, vols. 1-4 (The MacArthur New Testament Commentary) Sharing the Table

Following that would be singing from the Hallel, which means “praise” and is the term from which hallelujah is derived. The Hallel consisted of Psalms 113–18