The Passover Revisited

The Passover Preparation (17-19)

Matthew 26:17–19 ESV

17 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’ ” 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.

Christ sets the agenda for our lives.

Jesus calls the shots. Jesus gives the orders. Jesus makes the commands. You are not in charge - Christ is in charge.

Disciples follow the instructions of the Lord.

Matthew 26:19 ESV

19 And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.

“The disciples did as Jesus had directed them” - That may not sound like much but that is everything.

Their lives were marked by obedience to the Master. Do you want to prepare to dine at the table of Jesus - The word obedience need not be missed.

Are You Prepared to Dine at the Lord’s Table?

The Passover Proclamation (20-25)

Matthew 26:20–25 ESV

20 When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. 21 And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” 23 He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” 25 Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.”

In the NT the verb “to recline” implies the presence of a table. At formal meals male guests would recline (leaning on the left elbow, leaving the right hand free for eating) on low couches around the outside of a U-shaped table; women and servants served from the inside the U.

Christ reveals what is concealed.

Christ Knows Your Heart!

God’s sovereignty doesn’t nullify human responsibility.

Matthew 26:24 ESV

24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”

The Passover Transformation (26-29)

Matthew 26:26–29 ESV

26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

Because of the cross the passover is about the New Covenant.

Luke 22:20 ESV

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.

Because of the cross the passover is about freedom from sin.

Matthew 26:28 ESV

28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Because of the cross the passover is about being partakers of Christ.

John 6:53-56

John 6:53–56 ESV

53 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.

Lord’s Supper Verses

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 ESV

23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 ESV

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

1 Cor 11: