Luke 22:14-23

content/bible_journal/luke_22:14-23.md

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+title = "Luke 22:14–23"
+date = "2023-02-05"
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+
+### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Lk22.14-23)
+
+The table is set, the preparations are complete, and Jesus is now ready to eat
+the Passover meal with His disciples. And in the face of over a millenium of
+tradition, Jesus adds some new elements to the formula. Before that, though,
+Jesus expresses His gratitude that He gets to eat this Passover with His
+closest disciples, knowing that it will be the last one He will have with them.
+
+His first break with tradition is that He does not partake in the four cups of
+wine that are traditionally served at different points during the meal. The
+wine was diluted with water to keep anyone from becoming drunk at this solemn
+occasion, but Jesus doesn't have even that much. Instead His cup gets
+distributed to everyone else at the table. I'm certain there is significance to
+Jesus's abstinence at this time, but I haven't read anything to indicate what
+it is. Jesus did drink wine before, especially in comparison to John the
+Baptist since His enemies accused Him of being a drunkard. I also don't know if
+"until the kingdom of God comes" (_v. 18_) refers to after His resurrection, or
+after His Second Coming. I suspect knowing why would help answer when.
+
+The next thing Jesus does differently is to equate His body with the Passover
+bread which is broken into pieces and given to everyone to eat. And He commands
+them to "[d]o this in remembrance of me." (_v. 19_) Likewise, the cup of wine
+after the meal is equated with Jesus's blood which is poured out for the new
+covenant between God and man. This is how He could say in John 6:54, "He who
+eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on
+the last day." As He commanded us, churches around the world celebrate the
+Lord's Supper by eating bread and drinking of the fruit of the vine,
+remembering Jesus's sacrifice that makes eternal life with Him possible.
+
+Before the disciples can wonder what Jesus means by all this, He throws them
+another curveball by telling them that He will be betrayed by someone who was
+there that night. He also lets it drop that all these things have been
+determined beforehand, and yet the betrayer is going to be facing divine
+judgement anyway.
+
+* * *
+
+You are the only One who can change our natures, so that we will willingly
+follow Your instructions.