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Lesson 22: Jesus In Jerusalem, Part 3 (Luke 22:1-38)
Jesus had spent a couple of days coming and going to and from Jerusalem. He would teach in the temple during the day and stay on the Mount of Olives at night (Luke 21:37-38). The Bible story now moves into the time for Passover.
Passover Approaches (Luke 22:1-13)
22:1-6. Passover began at twilight on the 14th day of Nissan (or Abib), and the Festival of Unleavened Bread then began the 15th day and lasted for seven days (Leviticus 23:5-6; Numbers 9:2-5). It commemorated when God spared Israel from the tenth plague He brought on Egypt by killing all the firstborn in the land and delivering the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt (Exodus 12:1-20). As this time was approaching (in two days, Matthew 26:2, likely now making it Tuesday), the Jewish leaders (chief priests, scribes, elders) plotted to put Jesus to death but were afraid of the people who viewed Jesus favorably (originally determining not to do so during the festival, Matthew 26:1-5). Then, Satan entered Judas Iscariot (one of the twelve apostles) by influencing him to betray Jesus (John 13:2, 27). Judas (who was a thief) had previously been rebuked by Jesus in Bethany (Matthew 26:6-16; Mark 14:3-11; John 12:1-8). Although the Sanhedrin had determined to delay Jesus’s arrest, Judas approached them with an opportunity to arrest Jesus away from the crowds and apparently changed their plans (as Judas knew the places Jesus would go). They agreed to pay Judas 30 silver pieces (in fulfillment of prophecy, Zechariah 11:12-13; Matthew 26:15; the same price given for a slave gored by an ox, Exodus 21:32), and he began looking for a good opportunity to betray Jesus.
22:7-13. The day the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed had come (likely Thursday, during the day of the 14thof Nissan, with the Passover sacrifice occurring at twilight and the meal being eaten before morning in Jerusalem, Deuteronomy 16:1-8). Many preparations needed to be made for the Passover sacrifice and meal, including locating a place to eat the meal. Peter and John were tasked with making preparations. However, Jesus said they would see a man carrying a water jug when they entered the city, who they were to follow to a house and make arrangements with the owner to eat the Passover meal – in a large, furnished, upstairs room. They found things exactly as Jesus said and made preparations.
Passover Observed (Luke 22:14-23)
22:14-23. The time to observe the Passover meal had come. Jesus reclined at the table with His apostles (reclining on cushions on the floor around a short table). Jesus’s great desire was to eat the Passover with His disciples before He suffered. He would not eat the Passover again until everything was fulfilled in God’s kingdom, and He would commune with those in His kingdom differently. The former observance of the Jewish Passover would soon be surpassed by a greater “Passover” (which would involve Christ as our Passover Lamb and deliverance from the bondage of sin, John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7). Jesus took two elements of the supper and instituted a new “supper” that gave them greater meaning and would be used to commune with Jesus in God’s kingdom and as a memorial of Jesus (commonly referred to as the “breaking of bread,” “Lord’s Supper,” or “Communion,” 1 Corinthians 10:16; 11:23-26; Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Acts 2:42; 20:7). This involved two elements. First was the bread (unleavened bread) that represented His body, which was given for them (which would be given shortly). Second was the fruit of the vine in the cup (v. 17) that represented His blood (which was about to be shed and poured out for them). His blood would bring about a new covenant offered between God and humankind for the forgiveness of sins (Exodus 24:1-8; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:7-13; 9:11-28; 10:4)! Luke then records Jesus foretelling His betrayer was among them and pronouncing a woe on that one. Though they had argued about who it could be, Judas was eventually identified (Matthew 26:21-25; Mark 14:17-21; John 13:21-30).
Jesus Addresses His Disciples (Luke 22:24-38)
22:24-30. At some point surrounding the Passover meal, Jesus’s apostles began arguing about which one of them was the greatest (Luke 6:46-48; Matthew 20:20-28). Although the “great” people of power and authority in this world position themselves above others and like to be identified for doing good (“Benefactors”), they would often not serve others. However, greatness in Jesus’s kingdom would be measured through humble service! Although the one at the table would typically be viewed as being greater than the servant, Jesus presented Himself as a servant to them (John 13:1-17). As the apostles were to strive for greatness through serving, Jesus would honor them in His kingdom for standing beside Him through trials. The apostles would be honored and prominent as they would work to establish the reign and rule of God in the hearts of people (Ephesians 2:19-22; pictured as eating and drinking at Jesus’s table in the kingdom). They would sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel (including both physical and spiritual Israel, Romans 9:6; 11:17-32). This, though, was not that they would judge the final eternal destination for people in Heaven or Hell (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Corinthians 5:10), but perhaps that their lives and work would help people learn the words of Jesus that would judge the world (John 12:48; 14:25-26; 15:26-27; 16:12-15; Ephesians 3:3-7).
22:31-34. Satan had planned to put the apostles to the test to see which ones would remain faithful to Jesus (like a farmer sifting grain to separate the chaff from the wheat). In particular, Jesus says that Satan had asked to put Simon Peter to the test (Job 1:6-12; 2:1-6). Jesus said He had prayed for Peter that, though he would be put to the test, his faith would not fail (be completely destroyed). Then, when Peter would turn back after denying Jesus, Jesus wanted him to strengthen the other brothers (i.e. apostles). Despite Jesus’s words, Peter adamantly rejected the notion that he would deny Jesus, saying he was prepared to go to prison and death for Jesus (Matthew 26:31-35; Mark 14:27-31). Yet, Jesus assured him that the rooster would not crow (twice, Mark 14:30) until Peter had denied Him three times.
22:35-38. Jesus now prepares His apostles for the trials they would soon experience. Previously, Jesus had sent them out (on the “limited commission, Luke 9:1-6) and instructed them not to take provisions for themselves. However, Jesus now prepared them for experiencing a less welcome reception from people and told them to take some provisions for themselves and their protection (including money, clothing, and a sword). After all, Jesus would soon fulfill the prophecy to be counted among the lawless (Isaiah 53:12, being crucified among thieves). The disciples needed to be ready for the persecution they would experience. The disciples then identified two swords, and Jesus ended the conversation with them.
Conclusion
Jesus has spent time with His disciples in Jerusalem in observation of Passover. He has also tried to prepare His disciples for what was about to take place. The plot against Jesus has been set and would soon be executed, according to God’s plan concerning the Messiah!
