44 lines
2.3 KiB
Markdown
44 lines
2.3 KiB
Markdown
+++
|
||
title = "Luke 22:14–23"
|
||
date = "2023-02-05"
|
||
+++
|
||
|
||
### [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.
|