2.13.17a 3.27.2024 A Certain Place At the Table. (Maundy Thursday) Luke 22.8-22

Start:

Entice: In Scripture an inclusio occurs when an author uses a term twice. Once to begin a section, the second time to end that section. The author does this to highlight everything that goes on in between, and to demonstrate that everything in between those two uses of the term is related. In Luke’s case virtually his entire story of Jesus takes place between two uses of the term κατάλυμα.

Luke 22:8–13 (ESV)

8 So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.”

9 They said to him, “Where will you have us prepare it?”

10 He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters

11 and tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’

12 And he will show you a large upper room furnished; prepare it there.”

13 And they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

In Chapter 2 it is generally and incorrectly translated “inn.” Here, in Luke 22 it is correctly rendered “guest room”. We generally think of it as the upper room. And it is here that Jesus is fully in company with His band of disciples whom He has defined as His “true family.”

Engage:

As an infant in Luke 2

He is extended no hospitality.

In Luke 22

He extends hospitality.

as the host of the last Passover, the Passover where His sacrifice will fulfill and complete Old Covenant and bring in the New.

Expand: As He was host at that last Passover, He is now hosting every time we gather around His table to remember His death, burial, and resurrection.

Excite: Historically, Maundy Thursday is built around one of two related events that last night of Jesus’ earthly life. Either the focus can be on the prayer in the

Garden, or as tonight we can focus on the scene in the “upper room”. In ether location the focus is on

Jesus and His sacrifice.

Jesus and His cross.

Jesus and His passion.

Jesus and His suffering.

Jesus in His death.

Knowing that the agony of His Cross

Leads to the glory His resurrection.

Here is the difference between those two scenes on that Thursday night so long ago.

On the mount of Olives, we are mostly observers.

In the upper room we are participants,

so much so that tonight we do and on the Lords’ Day we do what He commanded that night. We remember Him and build community.

Explore:

Around the table we find certainty in community.

Luke 22:14–22 ESV

14 And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. 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.” 17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 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.” 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. 21 But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. 22 For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!”

Expand: Christian community is built upon

Body of Sermon:

1 Remembrance.

Israel’s central remembrance was

1.1 Passover.

This served as

1.1.1 Commemoration of God’s Act.

And also served as a

1.1.2 Confirmation as God’s People.

Passover was a sign of the

1.2 The Old Covenant.

On that Last Passover…Jesus begins the transition to the new

Paul reminds us that on the cross... 1.2.1 It is fulfilled.

Colossians 2:14 (ESV)

14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

1.2.2 It is “obsolete”

Hebrews 8:13 (ESV)

13 In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

Remembrance of God’s past actions enables us to turn our minds to what He did in Jesus to

2 Refocus.

He refocuses our attention from the Old Covenant between God and Israel to

2.1 The New Covenant.

Since the old is obsolete, fulfilled in His own sacrifice Jesus makes a new agreement between God and the New Israel, the Kingdom, His Church.

This new, and universal relationship with God is possible because of

2.2 Jesus’ Passion.

That night Jesus approached His cross with

2.2.1 Anticipation.

Around the table

Jesus anticipates both His coming

2.2.1.1 Kingdom.

and His imminent

2.2.1.2 Betrayal…

Amid the mounting stress Jesus provides

2.2.2 Affirmation.

2.2.2.1 Body given.

2.2.2.2 Blood Shed.

Shut Down

On this night it is appropriate for Word and Ordinance to flow together into a seamless whole. For most of us communion is kind of sequestered from the rest of worship. On this night where we remember the institution of this thanksgiving feast, it is appropriate for the Words of Jesus to lead us naturally to the foot of the

cross, and to let Jesus speak for Himself, the words of institution. I ‘m going to ask ______ _______ to lead us in prayer and then I will lead us as we share the

Lord’s Supper together.

Jesus gave us this bread as His broken body, to strengthen us to live as His Body, the Church. Let us share the loaf together.

Jesus gave this as a symbol of His Blood, which covers our sins. Let us drink of the cup together.

Prayer…

Lord’s Prayer (debts/debtors)

Our Father who art in heaven

Hallowed be thy name,

Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done

On earth as it is in heaven

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our debts

As we forgive our debtors

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil.

For thine is the Kingdom, the Power

And the glory, forever…Amen.

The Old Rugged Cross.