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