Preparation for the Cross

Main Idea: As Christians, Jesus prepares us through the Lord’s Supper and calls us to stay spiritually ready through faith, humility, and perseverance in our daily lives.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 CSB

All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Luke 22:1–38 ESV

Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put him to death, for they feared the people. 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. Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.” They said to him, “Where will you have us prepare it?” 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 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?’ And he will show you a large upper room furnished; prepare it there.” And they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover. 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. But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” 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. 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. “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.” And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. 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.” And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.”

I. The Lamb Who Was Slain (Luke 22:14-23)

Exegesis:

Historical Context of the Passover (v.14-15)

Jesus and His disciples gather for the Passover meal, a Jewish festival commemorating the Exodus (Exod. 12:1-30).

Jesus' words, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer” (v.15), show that this meal is different—He is about to fulfill its ultimate meaning.

2. The Bread and the Cup (v.19-20)

Jesus takes the bread, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you” (v.19).

In Jewish tradition, the Passover bread symbolized affliction Deut. 16:3, but Jesus now identifies it with His own suffering.

Deuteronomy 16:3 ESV

You shall eat no leavened bread with it. Seven days you shall eat it with unleavened bread, the bread of affliction—for you came out of the land of Egypt in haste—that all the days of your life you may remember the day when you came out of the land of Egypt.

The cup represents the New Covenant in His blood (v.20), fulfilling Jeremiah 31:31-34, where God promised a new relationship with His people.

Jeremiah 31:31–34 ESV

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

This echoes Isaiah 53:5:

Isaiah 53:5 ESV

But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

3. The Presence of Betrayal (v.21-23)

Jesus reveals that His betrayer is among them (v.21).

The phrase “The Son of Man goes as it has been determined” (v.22) affirms God’s sovereignty in Christ’s death, yet Judas is still responsible for his betrayal.

This fulfills Psalm 41:9,

Psalm 41:9 ESV

Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.

Application:

Approach the Lord’s Supper with reverence and gratitude.

Trust fully in Christ’s atonement. The blood of the Lamb is the only means of salvation.

Examine your heart. Judas walked with Jesus but was still lost. Are we truly following Christ, or just going through religious motions?

II. Strength Through Servanthood (Luke 22:24-30)

Exegesis:

The Disciples’ Argument (v.24)

Incredibly, right after Jesus speaks of betrayal, the disciples argue about who is the greatest (v.24).

This reveals their misunderstanding of Jesus’ mission—they still expect a political Messiah who will establish an earthly kingdom.

2. Jesus’ Redefinition of Greatness (v.25-27)

He contrasts earthly rulers (who dominate) with kingdom greatness (which is defined by service).

“I am among you as the one who serves” (v.27) connects to John 13:1-17, where Jesus washes their feet, demonstrating that leadership in God’s kingdom is about humility and sacrifice.

3. The Promise of the Kingdom (v.28-30)

Despite their weaknesses, Jesus assures them of their future role in His eternal kingdom (v.29-30).

The twelve thrones (v.30) refer to the disciples' future reign (cf. Rev. 3:21, 1 Cor. 6:2).

1 Corinthians 6:2 ESV

Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases?

Revelation 3:21 ESV

The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.

Application:

Christ calls us to serve, not seek power. Are we seeking recognition or truly serving?

We serve because Christ first served us. Do we model humility and love in our leadership?

Our present faithfulness impacts our future reward. True glory comes through suffering first.

III. Preparing for the Trials Ahead (Luke 22:31-38)

Exegesis:

Satan’s Attack on Peter (v.31-32)

“Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat.” (v.31)

This recalls Job 1:6-12, where Satan seeks to test Job’s faith. Sifting means shaking and separating—Satan desires to shake the disciples’ faith.

Job 1:6–12 ESV

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

Jesus’ response? “I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.” (v.32) This highlights Christ’s intercession (Heb. 7:25).

Hebrews 7:25 ESV

Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

2. Peter’s Overconfidence and Denial (v.33-34)

Peter, in his zeal, declares, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death!” (v.33).

Jesus warns him that before the rooster crows, Peter will deny Him three times (v.34), showing the danger of trusting in self-confidence rather than divine strength.

3. Jesus Prepares Them for Hostility (v.35-38)

Jesus reminds them that in their earlier missions, they lacked nothing (v.35), but now, things will change.

“Let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.” (v.36)

Not a call to violence (see Luke 22:50-51 where Jesus rebukes Peter for using a sword).

A metaphor for spiritual preparedness—they must be ready for hardship.

The disciples misunderstand, taking it literally (v.38), and Jesus says, “It is enough,” signaling their confusion.

Application:

Spiritual warfare is real. Are we prayerfully prepared for trials, or trusting in ourselves?

We need Christ’s intercession. Our faith will be tested, but Jesus prays for us (Rom. 8:34).

Romans 8:34 ESV

Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Prepare for suffering. The Christian life is not easy—are we ready to stand firm?

Conclusion:

Remember the Lamb – Jesus is our Passover sacrifice.

Live as a Servant – Greatness in God’s kingdom is found in humility.

Prepare for Hardship – The Christian life is a battle, but Christ intercedes for us.

Closing Challenge:

As we partake in communion, let’s remember Christ’s sacrifice.

As we serve, let’s model humility.

As we face trials, let’s trust in Christ’s strength, not our own.