The Last Supper

Fulfillment and Institution

We have been on a journey through Luke’s Gospel following Jesus’ movements toward Jerusalem. He knew what this journey would entail and what to expect at the end of the journey. We began in the region of Caesarea Philippi. Where Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God took place. As they traveled south Jesus preformed miracles, while instructing them about what was going to take place. He told them three times that he was going to suffer and die, but that he would rise again after three days. Luke also records the time that Jesus went up a mountain to pray with Peter, James, and John and Jesus was transformed, His clothing became whiter than any clothing could be bleached and there appeared with him Moses and Elijah while they spoke a cloud descended on the mountaintop with lightning and thunder. they heard a voice say; “This is my beloved Son, listen to him.” When the cloud lifted Jesus was there alone. Jesus continued on the journey to Jerusalem. Riding into Jerusalem on what is now known as Palm Sunday. A crowd of people rejoiced at his coming , shouting Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!

Jesus continued to teach and heal people while he was in Jerusalem for the Passover. His teaching continued to inflame the chief Priest and Pharisees and they were looking for ways to kill Jesus.

In our text for this evening we read Mark’s account of Jesus’ last Passover meal with his disciples. they asked him where they should go to make preparations for the meal and Jesus told them to go into the city, where they will meet a man carrying a jug of water. They are to follow him and “say to the owner of the house, where is my guest room that I might eat the Passover with my disciples.” He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations there. Not many houses of that time had rooms on the second floor. the second floor was usually used for storage and drying things such as food for preservation and flax for making clothing. One theory is that it was the house of Mark’s parents who were reported to be better off than some. We see Mark in different places in scripture. His gospel account is based on Peter’s recollection of the events in Jesus’ life.

The instructions to look for a man carrying water is similar to the event where he sends two of his disciples to get the colt on which he rode into Jerusalem. The question comes up; did Jesus make arrangements prior to sending his disciples. or were the hearts of men prepared by the Holy Spirit? I prefer the later the later explanation. Why would Jesus make secret plans then send his disciples on to their task? In this case a man carrying a jar of water, this was a woman”s job men did not usually carry water. If there had been a prearrangement How would it have been timed so well? Remember how Abraham sent his servant to find a bride for Issac. the servant prayed that the Lord would send a maiden to give him a drink of water at the well and then he asked her to water his camel as well. All the events of Holy week were orchestrated by God. The Passover was given by God through Moses. It was to remind the people how God brought them out of Egypt. They were to slaughter a lamb for each household or several families could go together if they would be unable to eat all of the lamb themselves. The blood of the lambs was used to represented the blood that was put on the door posts and lintels of their homes so the the Angel of the Lord would not kill the first born of the household as happened to the Egyptians. To understand what was involved in this sacrifice; the Jewish historian Josephus wrote that there would have been more than 250,000 lambs slaughter on the day of preparation. They were to eat unleavened while standing with their cloaks wrapped around them so that they could leave in haste. A bowl of salt water to remind them of the tears they shed in Egypt as well as how the waters parted allowing them to escape the Egyptian army. Bitter herbs to remind them of slavery, a paste called Charosheth to remind them of the clay that they used to make bricks in Egypt. Four cups of wine, 3 parts wine mixed with 2 parts water that were drunk at different times during the service to represent four promises of God. The procedure was exact and each part had a meaning to help the Israelites remember what God had done for them. The fact that Jesus was in Jerusalem with his disciples to celebrate Passover was all done in fulfillment of Gods plan. While they were eating the Passover meal Jesus told them that one of them was going to betray him. They were shocked and each one said to him “Surely you don’t mean me? Jesus replied. “one who dips bread into the bowl with me.” How do you think Judas must have felt, knowing that he was the one. Everything up to this point has been in fulfillment of scripture. Jesus knew what was going to happen.

The next part is the institution of the new covenant. While they were eating Jesus took bread and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples saying, “Take it; this is my body.”Then he took a cup and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.” Bread representing Christ’s body, wine representing his blood. Common foods, but just like the Passover meal foods that have a special meaning. The body and blood, their importance and significance soon to be revealed. The blood a symbol of a new covenant. The old manner of animal sacrifice would pass away. Jesus the Lamb of God whose blood covers the sins of the world the new covenant. There is also a promise in Jesus’ words, “Truly I tell you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” His blood sacrificed, but it is not the end he will drink again in the kingdom of heaven. A promise that his death is not final and a promise that his blood which is poured out will be for many.

How many are many? all those who repent of their sin and believe on the Lord Jesus The Christ The Son of the Living God. That is us, all who believe.

We will now share in the Lord’s Supper prepared for us through his death and resurrection.