14.04.25 Luke 22:7-23
Prepare
Lord Jesus, as we read your journey to the cross, may your Holy Spirit lead us into all truth and keep us curious.
Help us examine your example and in doing so, be moved to worship.
Amen
Read
Luke 22:7-22 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.” They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. 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.” After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 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.” 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.”
Reflect
American death row inmates are often given the choice of what to eat for their last meal. The prisoner is also given the option of sharing the meal with others if they so wish.
Through Luke’s detailed account, it is as if we are a fly on the wall or have a glass up to the wall on Jesus’ last meal before his death.
Jesus was able to choose not only what he ate but who he spent it with. And it was his disciples, his closest friends that he chose to eat with
This passover meal he had eaten with them several times before, but this time was different.
No longer was the focus on the lamb sacrificed in Egypt but now for the first time, he presented to them the new covenant, made possible by giving his body and shedding his blood.
It was this reality that Jesus was so eager to share and reveal to those he loved. That same covenant is what makes our relationship with God possible today.
Be
Father we thank you for the new covenant, a new and living way, your eternal promise of relationship with us
Jesus, we praise you for being our sacrificial lamb, our atoning sacrifice
We thank you for the gift of communion where we partake of the bread and cup ourselves
Become
Jesus commands his disciples to remember his sacrifice with the bread and wine. In taking it during communion, the physical and the spiritual overlap
Take a moment to consider your own thoughts and experience of communion. This Easter, let’s ask God to help us have a deeper appreciation of this act of remembrance.
Do
Jesus willingly shares in this intimate meal knowing that his betrayer is among them. Think of how much this speaks of Jesus patience. In his last meal, he is still giving Judas every opportunity to reconsider his choices.
Spend a moment praying for someone at church who you are concerned about, who needs reminding of God’s patience and compassion.
Practice
The disciples were quick to consider each other for who might betray Jesus.
Instead of looking outside yourself, how can you practice self reflection this week. You might like to set aside some time for confession and recognising where you fell short.
Be sure to finish by spending a few minutes receiving God’s grace, for where my sin increases, so does his grace