Jesus sets the table

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Introduction

Illustration: This morning we are going to look at Luke 22 where Jesus and the disciples celebrate the Passover together.

There is so much backstory, so many intricate details that are really powerful behind this text.

The Table is set? who is in the dinner party?

who is in the dinner party.

There is always a backstory to a dinner party

Thanksgiving “dont let so and so sit by so and so” “please dont bring up”

Movies: Knives Out

Celebrity Dinner Party?

Big Idea: Jesus is sets the table for what is to come.

Read Luke 22:14-23 / Pray

The Table is set: The Passover

Before we can talk about the meal we have to understand what they are celebrating….

Luke 22:1 ESV

Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover.

Passover: Exodus Narrative (Moses) (Exodus 11-19)

The Final of 10 plagues water turning to blood, frogs, lice, flies, livestock pestilence, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, and the killing of firstborn children.

God is trying to get pharaohs attention.

Make a declaration that he is God.

God is demanding the freeing of his people after 400 years of them being enslaved.

The Passover gets their attention.

Instruction of the Passover: Exodus 12

The Lamb

without blemish

1 year old.

2. The Blood

Above the Door Post

To mark the house that shall be passed over

Transition: This and the entire exodus narrative is what Jesus is desiring to celebrate with his disciples before he dies. Now lets talk about the elements of the meal itself.

The Passover Meal

The traditional meal as we know it did not begin until 70 ad.

A Few Key Elements

A. The Lamb

B. Unleavened Bread

Represents Sin

Would have taken to long to make.

C. Wine

represents blood

D. Foot washing

a holy meal.

Transition: So this is the backdrop to the meal Jesus is about to take. this is a big deal in itself before Jesus comes in and raises its importance to another level. God is about to take something that reminds them about the most important events in their history as a people and he is going to amplify its importance even more but before we can get there lets talk about who was invited to the dinner party.

The Dinner Party

Luke 22:14–15 ESV

And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.

Jesus earnestly desires to celebrate this meal with them?

Who is the them?

Judas the betrayer

Peter the Denier

The Rest of the Apostles (check out their dinner conversation.

1. The betrayal (Judas)

Luke 22:3–6 ESV

Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd.

Betrayal” Opposition or harm that befalls someone at the hands of someone they trusted. Also: Betrayal; Deliver up; Hand Over.

Judas sets up the plot to kill Jesus for some cash.

Jesus knows… and still desires to have dinner with him.

2. The Denial (Peter)

Luke 22:31–34 ESV

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”

We know later that Peter is the first person to preach the gospel

Peter/Petre the Rock of the church

Jesus foretells upon his death on the Cross that even peter is going to Deny him.

Not once but three times.

3. The Followers

Luke 22:23–26 ESV

And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this. A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.

Check Out this dinner conversation:

From Which one of us could possibly betray you?

To Which one of us is the greatest?

What a razor thin edge between Unhealthy pride and self defamation rather than true Gospel Humilty.

Jesus Addresses this with them

Luke 22:27–30 ESV

For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves. “You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Transition: So this is what they are here to celebrate… this is the dinner party. Now lets talk about how God is going to take this ritual meal, and this cast of characters and set the backdrop for all that is to come.

The Meal

Luke 22:14–20 ESV

And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

1. The Bread

Luke 22:19 ESV

And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

This is my body

Given for you

Eat in remembrance of me.

We should never look at bread the same again.

2. The Wine

Luke 22:18 ESV

For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

Luke 22:20 ESV

And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

Blood shed for the sins of this world

A new covenant (All of scripture is tied up in what Jesus is about to do)

An agreement between two parties… here is the new covanent I am going to give my body, and my blood for you.

Transition: Hopefully we are all now sitting here at this table. mind blown.

4,000 years

God working to restore his relationship

mans constant denial

Jesus now making a new covenant (all that is required is that we take the meal)

Symbolic but incredibly powerful.

Closing: The Christ

Luke 22:37 ESV

For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.”

Jesus is the only one who can fulfill this.

Here he sits amongst this cast of fools.

here he sits amongst us.

he invites us to sit at the table.

Closing

we are going to take communion.

the Table has been set.

Only one can host this meal, only one provides the food (life source)

The Instruction has been given come and eat from the table.

Lets Pray