1. Luke 22.1-30

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Intro: Best laid plans…

On our recent trip to the States (we went to meet with our partner churches)… on our trip we had an afternoon to kill in Kansas City (some 800 Miles from the ocean). For some inexplicable reason their train station contained a SLIDE Titanic Museum.

In 1912, the builders of that great ocean liner believed they had engineered a ship that could not sink. The plans were meticulous. The watertight compartments were state-of-the-art. Experts had calculated, drafted, and double-checked every detail. Human confidence was high because human planning was thorough.

And yet, on its maiden voyage, those carefully laid plans met a reality no one onboard could control. Icebergs do not consult blueprints.

History is full of moments like that — moments when human plans collide with forces bigger than the planners.

That theme - the theme of SLIDE plans dominates this passage… in these verses it seems almost everyone is planning. Who’s plans will prevail?

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We begin a new series today, as we begin to head towards Easter, we’ll be journeying with Jesus, through Luke’s Gospel as he approaches - ‘the coming cross’.

All of that brings us to the first thing to notice here (point 1 on your sheet).

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1. The Plot of Destruction

Read again from verse 1…

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Luke 22:1 NIV

Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching,

The festival of unleavened bread and the Passover are technically two separate celebrations… but here they are grouped together into one - in the same way that we might say ‘the holiday season’.

These festivals commemorate, of course, the EXODUS from Egypt, when God’s people people are told to prepare bread without yeast… to kill the Passover lamb and to shelter ‘under its blood’ as they daubs it on their doorposts… and be ready to flee the land as God brings us judgement upon Egypt and the joy of rescue to his people (keep those themes in mind, by the way).

Read on now, v2.

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Luke 22:2 NIV

and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people.

Well this brings us to our first group who have a PLAN - or a PLOT it might be better to call it.

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The Priests (and Teachers of the law)

Jesus has, from the start, been opposed by the religious authorities - the Pharisees in particular… but the Priests are those with (some) authority to arrest Jesus… and so they take centre stage now.

They have roundly rejected Jesus… they DO not want him, they WILL not have him as their Messiah.

Jesus himself has captured this in a recent parable… a parable which is told ABOUT and told AGAINST these very leaders. Remember the famous words of this parable from chapter 20? In many ways it sets the tone and sets the scene for TODAY’S passage

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Luke 20:9–16 NIV

He went on to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it to some farmers and went away for a long time. At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants so they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. He sent another servant, but that one also they beat and treated shamefully and sent away empty-handed. He sent still a third, and they wounded him and threw him out. “Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.’ “But when the tenants saw him, they talked the matter over. ‘This is the heir,’ they said. ‘Let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. “What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When the people heard this, they said, “God forbid!”

The vineyard is his people, Israel. tenants are the religious leaders. He expects spiritual fruit from the blessings they have been given, but none has been forthcoming. The servants sent are the prophets, but still they have not listened. Last of all he sends his son - they’ll accept him surely? No they reject the son too. Worse they want him dead, then they can take the vineyard for their own.

And how else can the owner respond? He will judge those tenants…. And then replace those tenants. Which is exactly what begins to be fulfilled here in chapter 22. but for now the Priests don’t know that… all they want is they want Jesus gone… they’re plotting his demise… although they have to be careful - they’re afraid of the people. Jesus is popular with the crowds. Taking him without causing a disturbance won’t be easy.

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But it’s not just the PRIESTS who are plotting, but the POWERS as well. SLIDE

The Powers (Satan)

The powers, meaning the forces of evil - and specifically - Satan himself. He too plots, he too plans, v3.

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Luke 22:3 NIV

Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve.

Here is the reminder, as Luke peals back the curtain, that behind surface-level human plans lies the unseen realm… Satan - who’s plan from the beginning was to tell enticing lies which draw people from trusting God and his Messiah. Satan, who would delight to see Jesus done in.

RIFF - three dangers with Satan and the demonic

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delight in, -unhealthy obsession

devolve to - it’s not my fault the devil made me do it….’

or dismissing entirely - Forget, downplay, dismiss the reality.

So the Priests are plotting…. The Powers of evil are scheming, but that leaves the Pariah (as I’m calling him) - Judas himself.

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The Pariah (Judas)

The ultimate tragic character. Read on - v3 again…

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Luke 22:3–6 NIV

Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.

Satan enters Judas. Satan is (no doubt) delighted. Satan (as it were) cheers him on. But there is no doubt that Judas is culpable. Responsible. You can’t escape that in the language here.

Judas WENT to the priests…

Judas DISCUSSED with them how to betray…

Judas CONSENTED to the financial rewards…

Judas WATCHED for his opportunity to hand over Jesus…

We’re not told much, if anything, about his deeper motives here. Money, clearly, is one driver (and we know from the other Gospels) Judas was unhappy with Jesus’ use of resources - not because of a care for the unfortunate poor because he had his hands in the communal purse!

So Judas too has his plots and plans… in fact it seems that everyone is planning - the world against Jesus - the priests, the powers, our pariah. Does this mean then that Jesus is at the mercy of these hostile and controlling forces?

Not a bit of it. Not a bit of it.

The great irony hanging over this chapter is that a greater plan lies behind it all.

That’s our second point today.

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2. The Plan of Salvation

Read on now from verse 7 and see the big hint Luke now drops…

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Luke 22:7–12 NIV

Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.” “Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked. He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.”

Do you see it?

Who else has been making PLANS? Jesus has!

Is this miraculous? - does the divine Jesus just KNOW that a man will happen to be in a particular place with a water jar, and that there’ll be a furnished room ready for them to eat the Passover meal? Possibly. There’s no doubt front he evidence of Lukes gospel that Jesus is capable of that…

More likely though Jesus has just made arrangements… he has PLANNED ahead. There it is, do you see? The first thing Luke highlights about JESUS’ actions in this passage… is that HE TOO is planning ahead.

The road to the cross is all mapped out, but not by Priests, or Powers, or the Pariah Judas…. No, the road is marked out by Jesus himself.

Many are the plans of a man’s heart (says the proverb) -in this case plans for evil! - but it’s the Lord Jesus’ - HIS purpose prevails. And his purpose is so intricate and brilliant, even down to the details. Just think about it… Jesus has clearly pre-planned where the Passover will be eaten, but he has done it in such a way so that Judas will not know the location beforehand - so he can’t betray Jesus (not YET anyway). Even the timing of Jesus own betrayal is in Jesus own hands, and plans.

And one by one, in this passage Jesus plans thwart and defeat and overrule the wicked plans of people.

You’ll see from the heads on your sheet that the Priests get replaced… the Powers are outmanoeuvred), the Pariah (Judas) is overruled and even this Passover meal itself is fulfilled. Let’s take those one at a time…

Firstly..

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Priests (replaced)

The Priests and the scribes (or teachers of the law) they are the religious powers that be. They are supposed to lead people to God. But they don’t even recognise God as he comes to them. Worse that that they want to KILL Jesus.

They have failed as spiritual leaders and now they will be rejected and replaced.

At the start of this passage the Priest are in charge…. By the end? Jesus says this to his disciples… (v28)

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Luke 22:28–30 NIV

You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

The disciples will judge Israel - in the sense of governing or ruling - although they’ll do it through SERVICE and SACRIFICE not SELFISHNESS.

The priest have many plans… but the priests will simply find themselves rejected and replaced.

Next we see….

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Powers (outmanoeuvred)

Satan must feel he is approaching a great victory. He is clearly trying to work his plans in and through the disciples too…

He entered Judas who is (quite willingly, as we’ve seen) led astray.

He also trying to derail Simon Peter AND the other disciples... we didn’t read this far but we get the detail in v31

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Luke 22:31–32 NIV

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

Satan must feel he’s on the cusp of a great victory. He has Jesus almost t the cross! He has at least one disciple turning on him, others looking shaking…

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This week Western powers have gone to war in the Middle East (again). How we must pray for that region, including for our brothers and sisters in Iran.

I’m reminded of that fateful scene back in 2003, when President Bush stood on the deck of the aircraft carrier, USS Abraham Lincoln (that same carrier is now in the gulf, again)…. He stood there and declared victory to the cheering sailors and a watching world. “Mission Accomplished” read the banner. Of course this turned out to be catastrophically wrong.

Please don’t hear me wrong, I am not equating George Bush with Satan… but you see the point! Satan almost has has Mission Accomplished banner unfurled. He thinks he’s winning.

Except of course, he isn’t.

Satan may want to sift out weaknesses in the disciples but Jesus will only allow this in so far as it fulfils the plans of God.

The cross, which Satan sees as victory, will actually bring his demise.

So do you see? The Priest have plans but end up getting replaced… The Spiritual Powers (of evil) have their plans - but are actually just being outmanoeuvred.

The Pariah too (next point now….)

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Pariah (overruled)

We’ll come back to the Passover meal - which becomes known as the last supper - in a moment… for now look from v20

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Luke 22:20–23 NIV

In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!” They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.

Judas has his secret plans to betray Jesus. It’s all arranged - behind the scenes. Except it’s not behind the scenes, Jesus knows it all. Because Jesus, in his power is overruling this whole situation.

It is an awful betrayal isn’t it? You can see that even in the way Jesus phrases it - the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. Which is a poetic way of saying… this betrayal is by one who is SO CLOSE…. One who has had the blessing of close fellowship with Jesus… who has walked with Jesus (literally).

The Son of Man (says Jesus) will go (that is go to the cross) as it has been decreed… Oh, but not as it has been decreed by Judas… but as it has been decided by God, since the foundation of the world.

It’s interesting that the disciples question amongst themselves ‘who could be the betrayer’? There’s no hint that they all know it’s Judas. But Jesus does.

It raises the question about the relationship between the evil actions of people and the sovereign hand of God.

The Bible always holds two truths together - on the one hand God is NOT the author of sin, we are. God is not culpable for our wrongdoing no, we are! But, on the other hand God is so powerful he can use even acts of the greatest evil, to accomplish his aims - of ultimate good.

And the GREATEST place ou can see that is at the cross - towards which all of this is heading. On teh one hand the cross is the GREATEST act of human sin and wickedness…. to put to death the innocent Son of God. And yet in his overruling plans…. God uses… Christ dies in our place FOR THOSE VERY SINS.

So… (as our series title suggests)

Jesus is heading towards the coming cross… but the cross (his death) is coming not because the priests have plotted it, they’re not in charge, in fact they’ll end up replaced…. Not because the powers of evil will it, in fact Satan is being outmanoeuvred, and not because Judas the Pariah has laid his wicked plans - he too is being overruled.

Jesus is ruling and reigning and bringing the plans of God to be fulfilled that’s the biggest theme and you see it most clearly in…

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Passover (fulfilled)

Jesus and his disciples are eating the Passover meal. Which, of course, commemorated Israel’s rescue from Egypt.

Every year for hundreds upon hundreds of year this Passover meal had been celebrated, in exactly the same way…. According to the instructions laid down…so that Gods people might never forget they were saved by God’s grace along by sheltering under the blood of the lamb.

And so this is the meal they eat… but Jesus begins to change the script.

For Jesus this meal doesn’t JUST point back to the Exodus… he also starts to say that it’s actually going to point FORWARD to all that is to come. Look at v14…

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Luke 22:14–16 NIV

When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”

This meal will be FULFILLED. It’s pointing forward.

And so we have these famous words… v17

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Luke 22:19 NIV

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

Jesus, of course, is not speaking literally when he says this IS my body, any more than he was speaking literally when he said “I am the gate for the sheep”, or “I am the true vine”.

But as the bread is broken… so will his body by torn, bloodied, beaten and crucified.

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Luke 22:20 NIV

In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

Again the disciples are used to drinking cups at the Passover the Passover meal contained four different CUPS you drank in commemoration of the Old Covenant - and the rescue from Egypt… but Jesus says all this now points forward, to what he is about to do, and to a NEW covenant made by him, by the shedding of his blood.

This is he heart of our faith. That’s why the Lord’s Supper (and not the Passover) is a regular part of church life here.

This Passover meal, in the hands of Jesus doesn’t just point back to a past rescue (the Exodus) but to a coming rescue - a greater deliverance - when men and women from every nation will come and sheltered under the blood of Jesus, not daubed on wooden doorposts but running down the wooden posts of the cross.

The suffering servant King is ruling and reigning and bringing his plans about… but he will rule and reigning by suffering and serving.

And THAT (as the disciples now need to learn) is (point three)….

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3. The Pattern of the Kingdom

Final section now - v24.

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Luke 22:24–26 NIV

A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.

This is radical stuff. IN the ancient world to RULE was to be at the top… to lord it over your subordinates. TO consider yourself a benefactor - who who is owed certain priviliges from those lesser minions who you sponsor (in your great benevolence).

But Jesus says in the strongest terms - and the original Greek here is expressed VERY emphatically.

“But your are not to be like that” does not really capture the strength here - it’s emphatic Jesus says ‘this is how the world does leadership… but NOT SO WITH YOU”!

Not so with you.

Jesus now gives an illustration to press home this counter-cultural point.

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Luke 22:27 NIV

For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

You go to your fancy restaurant, says Jesus, and the one seated at the table is the greatest right? The waiting staff are there to wait on his wants and whims, right? Well - right. At least, that’s how the world does things. That’s how the Pharisees and teachers of the law and the Priests do things - they love to wander round and be acknowledged in the streets - and have the best places at the banquets.. they love to lord their position over others and and reap the benefits of their elevated position.

NOT SO WITH YOU says Jesus. Leadership is now redefined as service.

And Jesus is the example. I AM AMONG YOU AS ONE WHO SERVES.

See… what have we learned about Jesus in this passage? Well that he\s the almighty God who is ruling and reigning over this whole situation! If anyone deserved to be served it’s him… but he has come TO SERVE.

Leadership is now redefined as service and Jesus is our supreme example.

Those words could not be more radical and more counter cultural I AM AMONG YOU (says the only son of almighty God) I (even I!) AM AMONG YOU AS ONE WHO SERVES.

And so it is with us…

We come to Jesus to BE served - we need him… we need to be served b his death and resurrection - the only way to deal with our sin….

We need to be sent out by him with a similar servant attitude.

More next week as we keep on heading towards the coming cross.

Let’s pray