The Passover/Last Supper

Luke 22:7-23

7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover meal for us that we may eat it.” 9 They asked him, “Where do you want us to make preparations for it?” 10 “Listen,” he said to them, “when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him into the house he enters 11 and say to the owner of the house, ‘The teacher asks you, “Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ 12 He will show you a large room upstairs, already furnished. Make preparations for us there.” 13 So they went and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal.

14 When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. 15 He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; 18 for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. 21 But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table. 22 For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!” 23 Then they began to ask one another which one of them it could be who would do this.

So much is packed into these verses.

First, the secrecy of where the meal is to be held. Jesus does not want to be captured too soon, he has things to do before that happens. So Peter and John follow (without speaking to) a man carrying a jar of water. Men did not carry water; they had other jobs in a household, but not carrying water. This man would have been noticeable and therefore easy to follow. Jesus only comes into town as dusk is settling (the hour for Passover celebration was dusk) (vs. 14).

Second, Jesus takes his place as host. Luke tells us that Jesus first took the cup. What we all say – where is the bread? This cup (vs. 17) would have been the final passing of the cup at the end of the Passover meal. Jesus is making clear that he is adding to the Passover meal, deepening its meaning, expanding it, but not changing it. Liberation from slavery is still to be celebrated and remembered. We were slaves to the powers of sin and darkness – and now we have been set free.

Third, there is no pause between the cup of the new covenant and Jesus’ statement that he is going to be betrayed. The communion table is messy with the hard realities of human life. At the table we come as we are and find an invitation. Will we let the table change us? At the table there will be people who do not have their lives in order, who are still finding their way to Jesus. Does their presence upset us, or can we focus on the one who has invited us and forget the confusion and the desire to make sure everyone at the table is deserving?

PRAYER:

As we prepare this Holy Week, Lord God, to celebrate the bread and the cup may they be for us gifts of your grace, offered to us by your Son Jesus Christ, who gave himself that we might know your love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.