AM April 5th Luke 22

April 5^th             Luke 22             F. The Perfect Man’s Suffering               The Passover is coming

1: Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. 2: And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people. 3: Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. 4: And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. 5: And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. 6: And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude. 7: Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. 8: And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. 9: And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? 10: And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. 11: And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? 12: And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. 13: And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

The Last Supper

14: And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. 15: And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: 16: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. 17: And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: 18: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. 19: And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. 20: Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. 21: But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. 22: And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! 23: And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.

Question – The Greatest

24: And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. 25: And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. 26: But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. 27: For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. 28: Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. 29: And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; 30: That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Peters denial foretold

31: And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. 33: And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. 34: And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

The feast of Passover was near; this is sometimes called the feast of unleavened bread. The Religious leaders wanted a way to catch Christ and they found it in Judas who was now indwelt buy Satan. (Only Luke could think of a person being filled with someone else) Peter and John are commissioned to prepare the room for the Passover feast, which would be the following night. The way in which this supper was prepared was very secret indeed – it was kept from Judas. Christ did not want this supper disturbed. He would not drink of the vine unto he drank it in the kingdom of God shall come. When the supper was ended Christ took break and wine and gave it to the disciples to partake this was ‘The Last Supper’ proper and a separate meal to the evening supper. Only of this supper did Christ say, this cup is the New Testament in my blood, which is shed for you. Later Christ explains that the betrayer is at the table. They all began to ask if they were the betrayer. And at the same time there was serious strife about who should be the greatest. What a contradictory state of affairs. Christ taught then that it is the Gentiles who exercise Lordship over but this is not the way that disciples should be to each other. The greatest should be regarded as the youngest not the eldest and the chief should be the servant of all. This is a complete reversal of roles and thinking. Christ’s example as servant of all should be their example. Then Christ says something very interesting. He says you are the disciples that have lived with me through my temptations. Then he says, I appoint unto you a kingdom – which you might eat and drink at my table in the kingdom and sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. There are those who say that there will be no physical future Messianic kingdom, however. This passage means what it says in plain speech. Christ has appointed the Twelve to a kingdom. In that Kingdom they will sit down and eat at Christ’s table in the Kingdom. And they will sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Now at the present time the ten northern tribes of Israel are the lost tribes. The Jews today are the descendants of the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin. However Christ predicts that these twelve Apostles will sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Clearly the OT prophecies will be fulfilled which speak of a calling of the lost tribes back to the Land. And in the Messianic kingdom Christ will administer his law through the twelve apostles who will judge all the tribes of Israel. Then Christ spoke to Peter. And he reveals something that has occurred in Heaven. Satan it appears had made special request to sift Peter, to test him like he tested Job, and presumably the request had been granted. Christ did not forbid Satan’s sifting of Peter but he said l have prayed for you that your faith will not fail and when you are converted. In other words when God has brought you through it – strengthen your brethren. Peter’s role will be to be a rock to the brethren. But to become a rock he must go through the fire. Peter in his bravado says, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. But Christ says, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. Peter was going to be turned inside out, but his faith would remain. And through it all he would be a means of strengthening to his brothers.