The Passover Purpose: The New Covenant

Introduction

If you missed last week we are taking a small break from the book of Acts to look towards Easter.

We will be walking through the story like Luke sets out in his Gospel on the last few days of Christ’s ministry before the cross.

I did mention last week, that on Palm Sunday we will be having a baptism and if you are interested in becoming baptized, please talk with myself or Pastor Josh.

This week’s passage is the story of the development of what we have come to call communion.

Over the years it has been called many things from communion to the Lord’s Table or the Lord’s Supper.

All of those descriptions are true descriptors.

This morning as we look at this passage, it is my desire and hope that you have a deeper understanding of why we have this as an ordinance in the church.

An ordinance is one of the practices we have in the church that we believe that Christ and through his Word is commanding us to do.

It has been two years since the beginning of Covid and its affect on the world and our way of worship.

When we were first told to stop gathering in person, I felt it would be important to hold off on celebrating communion as this should be done in person.

Weeks turned to months, then partial gathering.

When we returned to a small gathering, our celebration of communion was brought back and now recently, for the people who for one reason or another, are on zoom, have been given the chance to participate virtually.

To be honest, as we will discover in the text, this celebration is to be done in community. With others.

This week, I was asked to come to a home and walk through communion with a family, and I was delighted.

This is a great richness in the life of us as believers to be able to commune with one another and to reflect upon the actions of our saviour.

So with all of this, let’s take a few moments to look into God’s Word as written by Luke on the story of Christ’ Last Supper

Luke 22:7–23 ESV

7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.” 9 They said to him, “Where will you have us prepare it?” 10 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 11 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?’ 12 And he will show you a large upper room furnished; prepare it there.” 13 And they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover. 14 And when the hour came, he reclined at 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 tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 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.” 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. 21 But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. 22 For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” 23 And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this.

Let’s Pray

Then Came the Day

Luke 22:7 “7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.”

Then came the day. For the Jewish people this was a day most people looked forward to.

Do you have a special day you look forward to every year?

What would you say is yours,

What do you do to celebrate that special day?

I think our first response would be our birthday, but if you are sitting by your wife men, think anniversary.. or at least to mark that you remember, buy her a gift.

I bought my wife a fridge for our anniversary.

I know it wasn’t a great gift, but I loved seeing her face light up when she opened it.

but seriously, Then came the day,

A yearly celebration for them the people of God’s to celebrate their deliverance from Egypt.

A special part of the Passover celebration

The whole Passover was a time to remember, but this meal was of special importance as we now will find out that it pointed directly to Christ.

It was a time to remember what God had done in their history. A time of looking back while at the same time looking forward to a time of fulfillment.

The celebration of Communion can be summed up in that statement.

We come to the table of the Lord in a time of remembrance of What Christ has done and we look forward to a day when we celebrate this meal with Him in person.

Do you look forward with anticipation for communion?

The day of the Passover lamb. The time to sacrifice a lamb to remember what God did as they left Egypt. It was also a symbol of the covenant God made with the people.

The meal is an intimate meal

The tradition of the Passover was that of an intimate meal with only those who belonged to the family and were of Jewish faith.

One person wrote,

The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 26: Luke (The Betrayer Among Us)

Traditionally, the Passover is celebrated with one’s family. It commemorates the angel of death passing over the children of Israel while slaying the first-born in every Egyptian household. Jesus chose to celebrate with His family, those twelve men who had shared His life and ministry for so long.

The Preparation of the Meal

The day had come and now Jesus wanted to share with those who where close to Him this special celebration.

We are not surprised to find the events surrounding this meal were just as surprising as the meal itself.

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 8: Matthew, Mark, Luke 2. The Last Supper (22:7–38)

Luke shows that Jesus initiated plans for the Passover arrangements (v. 8; Matt 26:17 and Mark 14:12 mention only the disciples’ question, v. 9). Jesus’ instructions guaranteed privacy, indeed, secrecy, perhaps to avoid his premature arrest.

If you look at the story from different perspective, Jesus, knew that this meal was important and set the plan in motion

Luke 22:8 ESV

8 So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.”

Two were sent

Here we once again see Jesus choosing two to go and do the job of preparing the meal.

If you read other accounts you find a valid question

Matthew 26:17 (ESV)

17 ......“Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?”

Here once again we see the disciples recognizing that they have no permanent home.

No place to hold this very intimate meal with their master, teacher, Lord.

Notice Jesus didn’t say, go find a place.

The city was Jerusalem and it would be full of people who have traveled to celebrate Passover in the city.

For many it would be an time honored pilgrimage .

Where on earth would they find a place that would accommodate 13 people and all that was needed for the meal.

This wasn’t a simple lunch, it was a very detail meal that they would be sharing together.

How to Find the location

The problem first would be to find a location.

A band of travelling disciples with no home base.

Connections: My father raised me to always know the people who run the stores you buy stuff in, especially stores you frequent.

Personal Story,

The other day, I was purchasing in another city, some wood for an upcoming project, and I began to share me story of what has been happening in mine and our town’s life and why I am buying the wood.

Feeling the struggle, the salesman was willing to help me locate a deal. As I began to inquire about what would be required to set up and account, to possibly get a better deal, the man stated that volume of wood would be needed in order to get a better price.

I simply said, oh, that won’t work as I am a pastor and this is a hobby not a business.

Well, he jokingly stated, now I will have to get you a better deal, next your going to tell me you are a missionary.

Nope, but I have been on a mission.

Then the next statement was funny for both of us.

Next you are going to tell me your the pastor of the Free church in Merritt.

Well,....... It turns out his wife grew up here and his father in law as one of the first pastor’s in our church.

Connections.

I wonder if Peter and John were thinking this as Jesus said I want you to go and prepare the Passover for us.

Who do we know? Before they could even discuss it among themselves, Jesus spoke

A Man carrying a jar

Go into the city and find a man carrying a jar.

Folks when we read this story, we quickly pass over this statement.

We understand that this time period did not have running water and it seems that it would have been common for a man to be carrying water in a jar.

There would have been plenty of Jars.

But what we don’t realize that this narrative of instructions from Jesus was amazing is the fact that in those days, ordinarily, men didn’t carry jars, they would be carrying a wine skins. It would be the women of the day that would carry jars.

I’m note sure if Jesus used this as to show his power of knowing what was to happen or make it easier for the two to find the person.

Afterall, they were men and we often can find things that are right in front of our noses.

In our house we always would say.

It’s not broken until dad can’t fix it and it’s not lost until mom can’t find it.

The two, Peter and John need to find this man.

In fact, Luke records that the man will come and meet them. In case your wondering if this is really the guy, he will be carrying a jar and not a wineskin.

Follow him.

You don’t need to find the house, I have it ready for us.

A Master of the House

Follow him to his master’s home.

This of course was in a higher end of the city than the countryside they have been travelling.

Luke 22:11–12 ESV

11 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?’ 12 And he will show you a large upper room furnished; prepare it there.”

A prepared upper room

An upper room,

New Testament 22:1–13—Preparing the Passover

Anyone with a two-story home, the second of which contained a “large” upper room, would be considered well-to-do. This family presumably resided in the Upper City of Jerusalem, near the temple, rather than the poorer Lower City, downwind of Jerusalem’s sewage. Because the Passover had to be eaten within Jerusalem’s walls, most homes would be crowded with guests; but the accommodations for Jesus’ last meal with his disciples would be quite adequate.

The place was prepared.

The place was available and perfect for the last meal with His disciples.

What I would like you also to notice is what Luke notice as well

Luke 22:13 ESV

13 And they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

100 percent accurate!

When you look over scripture and the life of Jesus, when Jesus was specific on an event or telling his Disciples what they were to and to meet, He was always,

100% perfect and accurate.

The Institution of the Lord’s Supper

This was the last time Jesus took part in the celebration of the Passover and set forth a plan for us to follow until He returns

The time had come

You see once again, Luke describing the events in specifics.

The time had come.

The meal was prepared

The people had assembled.

Jesus was about to walk through with them the covenant agreement that God had made with the Jews.

They knew the significance of the meal,

They knew its purpose, but it was about to take on a greater or Ah Moment!.

If you read this passage with emotion, you can see Jesus was longing for this time.

Like an artist about to reveal the finish painting,

Or a writer the climax of a story,

Jesus was waiting for this moment.

This would take on a whole new meaning.

May I remind you that when we come to the table to celebrate what Christ had done for us,

that one day we will have this meal with Him in God’s kingdom.

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 8: Matthew, Mark, Luke (2. The Last Supper (22:7–38))

Both of Jesus’ opening statements are strongly worded. “I have eagerly desired” as one Commentary states:

it represents a strong double construction literally means “with desire I have desired”).

The second statement begins with an emphatic future negative.

Together the sentences convey the depth of Jesus’ feelings at this time and the immense significance of what is taking place.

The Symbolism of the Lamb

The choosing of the right animal was very important in this story.

It was a lamb. The lamb had to be pure it was there as a symbol of replacing or instead of.

They all knew the significance of the lamb, but what they failed to recognize at that moment in time was that Jesus was pointing to a time where he would be that Lamb.

Lexham Context Commentary: New Testament The Lord’s Supper Is Instituted (22:19–20)

Jesus breaks bread and drinks a cup with his disciples. Jesus declares that the bread represents his body and the cup represents his blood. The act of his disciples eating the bread and drinking the cup is analogous to entering into a new covenant just as the Passover meal is the representative meal of the old covenant.

Luke 22:17 ESV

17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves.

The Presentation of the Cup

As I studied this passage this week, I found it very different from that of what I have always been accustom to knowing about this story. I have always read how the bread come first and now there is a mention about the cup.

This is what I Found

Unlike the other accounts of the Last Supper, Luke mentions a cup before (v. 17), as well as after (v. 20), the bread.

Why,

well the author of this commentary goes on to say

The cup of v. 17 may be the first of the traditional four cups taken during the Passover meal. In this case, Jesus’ comments come at the beginning of that meal. This cup was followed by part of the Passover meal and the singing of Pss 113 and 114. Alternately, the cup of v. 17 may be the third cup, mentioned both here in connection with the Passover setting and again in connection with its place in the Eucharist, on which Luke focuses (v. 20).

Liefeld, W. L. (1984). Luke. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke (Vol. 8, p. 1026). Zondervan Publishing House.

The Presentation of the bread

Now we see the bread.

Broken for you.

Did you know the custom of the lamb that was slain for the passover, much care was given as not to break the bones of that lamb.

Yet now we see Jesus share with his disciples. This is me.

My body will be broken for you.

My blood will be shed for you.

All these years I have been showing you that I have come to serve and to give of myself to you

This is what it is all about

The act of brokenness

There is something special that we miss when we quickly read this passage.

Over the years, sadly we have missed the true meaning of vs 19

Luke 22:19 ESV

19 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.”

notice the phrase, had given thanks,

The greek word here used is eucharisteo

It wasn’t a simple prayer of blessing on the bread it was a prayer of thanksgiving.

The root word of eucharisteo is “charis” meaning “grace.” Jesus took the bread and saw it as grace, God’s Grace and gave thanks. It also holds its derivative, the Greek word “chara” meaning “joy.” Deep chara joy is found only at the table of eucharisteo- the table of thanksgiving.

The long years of sacrifice where coming to an end. The lamb that was a symbol of atonement for sins was about to change.

Christ was at that moment preparing his disciples for the new covenant of Grace.

In that intimate moment with His disciples as they shared for the last time the symbolic act of Passover, the actual lamb of God that came to take away the sins of the word was about to be broken for them.

The Act of participation

Jesus moved this meal of celebration of what had happened in Israel’s past to a institution of Grace.

He tells his disciples that they must remember what He has done for them.

We are to acknowledge Christ broken body for us

We are to acknowledge Christ broken body for us.

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 8: Matthew, Mark, Luke (2. The Last Supper (22:7–38))

“In remembrance of me” (v. 19) directs our attention primarily to the person of Christ and not merely to the benefits we receive (of whatever nature we may understand them to be) from taking the bread and cup.

We are to acknowledge Christ Shed blood for us

The new covenant (cf. Jer 31:31–34) carried with it assurance of forgiveness through Jesus’ blood shed on the cross and the inner work of the Holy Spirit in motivating us to follow Christ.

Later in Paul’s writing, this institution was further explained as this

Jesus said these words at the Passover meal the final meal he had with his disciples before his death. Although the disciples did not understand Jesus's words and actions then, the symbolism expresses union with him, since Jesus identifies the bread with the body and the fruit of the vine with his blood and tells his disciples to eat and drink. They are to "ingest" and "drink” him metaphorically so they had so that he becomes part of them. The symbolism communicates union between the partakers in the body and blood of Christ "participation” in the body of Christ.

what Christians share the salvation Christ death and resurrection one for them forms their very identity. Accompanied by Jesus is words paid, which institute the Lord supper, participation proclaims the gospel quote as often as you eat and drink this bread and drink this cup you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes

The Story begins to unfold

We now come to the part in the text, a beautiful moment of Christ sharing what is to come and instituting a wonderful celebration that for years to come and then the story begins to unfold.

Jesus drops a bombshell

Luke 22:21 ESV

21 But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table.

The Public announcement of a betrayer

Judas as we learned last week had already made up his mind to betray Christ, now it becomes a public announcement of a betrayer. We can look at other passages as to how this discussion was carried out, but I can say for certain,

The wonderful news of a new covenant was lost at that moment.

Their focus turned away from Christ and upon one another.

Come back next week and we will see the disciple’s response.

In Summary

As the worship team comes forward,

Let me ask you this, How are we to approach communion.

In two weeks, we will once again share the table of The Grace of God.

Will you come in anticipation and joy,

Will you come prepared and broken for Christ to work in your life?

Maybe Christ will come before we can celebrate and we will with great Joy celebrate with him intimately around the table with the risen Lord.

We do this until He returns

Response to Worship

Benediction