The Lord's Supper

A Feast to Remember

(Ice Breaker) What is a meal you will never forget, and why? Was it special because of who was there? what was happening? or what was being represented?

In our passage this morning we will see Jesus instituting the Last Supper and setting the stage for what we call the Lord’s Supper. Where He shares bread and wine with His disciples, and explains they symbolize His body and blood and the establishing of the new covenant.

This passage records Jesus sharing the Passover meal with His disciples on the eve of His crucifixion, This moment links:

Past: God’s deliverance from Egypt

Present: Jesus offering Himself as the true Passover Lamb

Future the coming kingdom feast

Big Idea: Remembrance through communion, Lord’s Supper, not only connects us to Jesus’ sacrifice but also empowers us to live in the light of His new covenant.

This passage focuses on the importance of remembering the sacrifice in our faith of Jesus body, by the bread, and the juice , as we share in this as some would say sacrament, memorializing His death until He comes.

Simple application: The message this morning will encourage believers to remember the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice not just on the First Day of the week, but in their daily lives and find hope and renewal in the act of the Lord’s Supper, especially in those trying and difficult times.

Our Passage

Luke 22:14–15 NASB95

14 When the hour had come, He reclined at the 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;

Luke 22:16–17 NASB95

16 for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves;

Luke 22:18–19 NASB95

18 for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And when He had taken some bread and 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.”

Luke 22:20–21 NASB95

20 And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood. 21 “But behold, the hand of the one betraying Me is with Mine on the table.

Luke 22:22–23 NASB95

22 “For indeed, the Son of Man is going as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!” 23 And they began to discuss among themselves which one of them it might be who was going to do this thing.

Is there anything that stands out to you in this passage?

What does Jesus mean by saying He “earnestly desired to eat this Passover with them?” (v.15) and what does he reveal about its future fulfillment (v.16)?

He wanted them to know that He is going to be the Passover Lamb, the perfect sacrifice, this is the reason He came and that He would not do this again until the kingdom of God comes.

What does the bread represent (vv.17-20)? What verse did you find the answer?

bread is My body which is given for you (v.19)

What does the cup represent (vv.17-20)? What verse did you find the answer?

Cup is the new covenant in My blood (v.20)

Both were to be done in remembrance of Him (v.19); both were to be shared among themselves (v.17)

Who does Jesus indicate is at the table with Him, and what warning does He issue about betrayal (vv.21-22)?

There is one there who would betray him at the table but woe to the one who does it.

Expand on this, Jesus knew who was going to do it and yet gave it to him. Just as Jesus washed his feet too. He soon will tell him to go, do what you must do,

How do the disciples respond to Jesus comment (vv.21-22) in (v.23)?

They began discussing among themselves who it might be who would do such a thing, betray Jesus.

Earnestly Desired

Luke 22:14–16 “14 When the hour had come, He reclined at the 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 say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.””

Jesus expresses His deep desire, His earnest desire to share this meal with His disciples before His suffering.

Jesus has an emotional connection to them on this, an urgency, and a divine purpose

This Passover is about to reveal the true meaning in Christ’s sacrificial death

Institution of the Lord’s Supper

Luke 22:17–20 “17 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; 18 for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And when He had taken some bread and 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 in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.”

Jesus focus on symbolism here on the bread and the wine. symbolizing His body and His blood.

First we have the cup of thanksgiving (v.17) - setting a pattern of thanksgiving

The bread is HIs body (v.19) - His body which is given for You, a call to remember Christ’s sacrificial love

The Cup as the New Covenant (v.20) - Jesus’ blood establishes a new relationship with God; also this echoes Jeremiah 31:31–34

“31 “Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord. 33 “But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the Lord, “I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34 “They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,” declares the Lord, “for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.””

The Presence of Betrayal

Luke 22:21–23 “21 “But behold, the hand of the one betraying Me is with Mine on the table. 22 “For indeed, the Son of Man is going as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!” 23 And they began to discuss among themselves which one of them it might be who was going to do this thing.”

The hand of him who betrays Me is with Me on the table; a great reminder of human weakness (v.21)

Jesus affirms prophecy will be fulfilled, the betrayer will be held accountable (v.22)

They will being questioning themselves and one another (v.23).

Applications

(Below are slides)

As Jesus earnestly desired fellowship with His followers in moments of sorrow, we should desire times with him with the same intensity. Before facing trials, be intentional and spend time in fellowship for that helps strengthen faith

Participate in the Lord’s Supper with intentions gratitude. Know that Christ’s sacrifice is personal it was for “you”. Embrace the blessings and the responsibilities of the new covenant

Approach the Lord’s supper with humility and self-examination; recognize the danger of allowing sin to fester. Understand that closeness to Jesus is not a guarantee of faithfulness- vigilance matters.

The Take Away

The Lord’s supper is not only to remember Christ’s death until He comes it is a call for us to fellowship, a call for us to be in gratitude, and honest self-examination in the light of His sacrifice as we live in covenant with Him.

(Below is only if time is permitting)

Why do you think Jesus chose a meal- a simple, ordinary act - to be the lasting memorial of His sacrifice?

What does this passage teach us about Jesus’ love even for those who will fail Him?

In what ways does the betrayal of someone close to Jesus (v.21) mirror experiences of trust broken relationships in our own lives? How might God’s sovereignty in such events (v.22) change our perspective?

(Prayer) (Exit)