The Last Supper | Luke 22

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THE LAST SUPPER Luke 22:14-20

Welcome! Good morning! My name is Ryan Leech, I’m one of the deacons here at The Resolved Church, as well as a pastoral resident. You may have seen my beard on stage before but it’s usually singing and leading in song rather than preaching! I’m so glad to be here and honored to preach today. Last week, we had a Song & Prayer Sunday, which was so wonderful, yeah?! If you weren’t here, we discussed many of the social and racial realities in our country and our own city, confessed our sins in participating in injustice against God and our fellow people, and prayed that God would heal us, our country, and our city. I’d like to especially thank Dave Maddox for reading a letter on behalf of the pastors and praying for the events in Charlottesville, Bill Freese for leading us in confession, Dave Christman for his work and helping us understand what's going on in our own city, Nate and Hanan Whitsell for sharing from personal experience and encouraging us to engage one another and our city empathetically, and Nick Todd and the band for leading us in song and response. Thank you all! It was a special time and my prayer is really that we would look back to last Sunday as a pivotal moment in our church’s history as a shift in the culture and DNA of our church. Amen?

Skipping Ahead in Luke

Today, we will be in Luke, but we’re jumping way ahead to Luke 22. Recently I did a bit of work in Luke 22 that I shared as a longer devotional for our staff and it was a special time. Out of that, I’d like to share the same with you today! Our passage today, Luke 22:14-20, which if you have a Bible you can navigate to now, is a particularly monumental one, where we jump forward in Luke’s story of Jesus describing what took place at “the Last Supper” during the last week before Jesus is crucified. The lens I’m looking through, the main thrust here, is that Jesus eagerly desires to be with us, his friends, and makes way through this meal. So, would you stand with me as we read from God’s Word in Luke 22:14-20:

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And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took 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.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. This is the Word of the LORD. // Thanks be to God! // Pray

Wrongfully Accused In 2014, Time Magazine ran a story about Death Row in the United States. It was studied and estimated that over 5% of people committed to death row since 1973 have been innocent. What’s worse is only 1.5% of those were actually exonerated and released. That means since the early 1970’s in America alone, over 150 people have faced death for no wrongdoing of their own. Each of these people, when facing death, are offered a final meal. Whatever they want from wherever they want. David Spence, executed in 1997, presumed innocent in 2000 asked for fried chicken, fries, tea, coffee, Coke, and chocolate ice cream. Claude Howard Jones, executed in 2000, presumed innocent in 2010 asked for steak, eggs, toast with jam, and a single sausage. Cameron Todd Willingham, executed in 2004, presumed innocent in 2010 requested tater tots, onion rings, enchiladas, and two slices of pie. Each of these men ate their final meal alone in silence with their thoughts. And we find Jesus in a very similar situation today in our text. You see, right after our story today, actually, Jesus would be placed on death row, and though declared innocent by Pontius Pilate, the local governor, would be executed. Today, we’re reading about Jesus’ last meal.

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Setting the Scene Even if you are unfamiliar with the Bible or the Gospel stories of Jesus, you are probably familiar with this scene. It’s been depicted many times but perhaps most well-known in Leonardo Da Vinci’s “Last Supper”. You’ll notice the 12 Apostles form four groups of three, two on either side of Jesus. In the second grouping are, John, Peter, and Judas. John, the youngest apostle, is Jesus’ beloved disciple, sitting at Jesus’ right hand. But he runs away later when Jesus gets arrested, apparently so fast he loses his clothes. Peter looks angry and is holding a knife pointed away from Jesus, foreshadowing his violent reaction in Gethsemane during Jesus' arrest when he cuts a guys ear off and Jesus heals it. And, of course, Judas, the one wearing green and blue and is in shadow, looking rather withdrawn and taken aback by the sudden revelation of Jesus’ plan. He is clutching a small bag, which is the silver given to him as payment for betraying Jesus. He is also tipping over a salt shaker. This is an Ancient Near-Eastern expression. To spill or "betray the salt" was to betray one's Master. He is the only person to have his elbow on the table and his head is also hanging horizontally the lowest of anyone in the painting. Lastly, I want to point out Thomas to Jesus’ left. Thomas is clearly upset; his raised finger but he raises reminding us of his constant questions and foreshadows his suspicion of the Resurrection, when Jesus reveals himself to his friends and Thomas asks to touch the wounds of Jesus’ hands and feet. What I love about this scene is that it’s relatable. Not just the food or drinks, or the meal, or even because we’ve heard of it or seen the painting. It’s relatable because all of friends, in one way or another, betray Jesus. We deny him or show unfaithfulness to him. My own lack in faith shows often in my fear that God won’t provide enough money for our family or the church. It shows when I don’t love my wife as much as I’ve been called to or in the ways that I vowed to on our wedding day. It shows in my preference to spend time with certain people and not others. Our lack of faith, however subtle it may seem, is a betrayal of Jesus and his friendship.

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So while Da Vinci’s depiction of the Last Supper isn’t Scripture, it serves as a beautiful, time-tested anecdote that while we may sit with Jesus, we often live or react in ways that betray him, deny him, or where we lack faith in him. So as you look at this painting, is there a disciple you feel like you understand? Maybe it’s John, would longs for love or deep friendships yet scatters when the going gets tough. Maybe it’s Peter, who talks a lot of talk but when push comes to shove, is nowhere to be found in the hard times. Maybe it’s Judas, who loves the things of the world, especially the shiny things, and would sell a friend out for a buck. Or maybe you resonate with Thomas, who is skeptical and keeps himself at arms length in fear of acting like a fool or really opening up when it’s needed the most. What’s beautiful is that despite these things, and our main take-away today, is that though we have betrayed Jesus, denied him and lack faith in him constantly, he eagerly desires to be our friend and offers that friendship to us in this Last Supper. Bernard of Clairvaux, an ancient Christian said, “He loves you more than you love Him, and He loved you before you ever loved Him.” So we’ve painted a picture, pun intended, but lets look closer at our text today and talk about what actually happened that night according to Luke.

The Apostles Reactions Even though it may not seem like it, a lot happens in this short passage. There are more than 20 verbs in our seven verses today. And that’s a lot, there's a lot going on, a lot of action. So let’s take a look. And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 
 (v. 14-16) So Jesus is spending the Passover holiday with his friends, he’s hanging out. I imagine their eating and drinking, enjoying one another’s company, a joke flies and begets laughter. Then, Jesus speaks and says “I’ve been eagerly looking forward to this time with you because I’m about to suffer.”

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Laughter breaks and you can hear your own pulse. Sobriety sets in realizing Jesus is serious. What does he mean he won't eat again until it’s fulfilled in God’s kingdom? We have been talking about the kingdom of God in our travels and time with him. What’s being fulfilled?

And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 
 (v. 17-18) Why did Jesus just give thanks? Isn’t this too serious to be giving thanks right now? Why won’t Jesus drink until God’s kingdom is completed? And he took 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.” (v. 19) Your body, Jesus? Given for me? Why? In remembrance of you? Jesus, you’re right here! And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. (v. 20) What’s the New Covenant? What’s wrong with the old one? In your blood, Jesus? Why’s it gotta be your blood?! None of this is making any sense. There is no doubt Jesus’ friends were confused by his words. They had no way of knowing or sensing about what would happen later that week. One thing they could discern, though, was that Jesus was serious.

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To make more sense of Jesus’ words, we really need to understand the Passover.

The Passover So, for a second, let's roll up our sleeves and put our thinking caps on. It’s important to remember that Jesus is having dinner with his Apostles, his disciples and closest friends in life in the middle of the Passover. The Passover is an annual Jewish holiday celebrating that the Spirit of God judgment passed over them during the plagues of Egypt, freed them from the bonds of slavery, and brought them into the promised land. Like any holiday, the Passover was centered around a meal, and this particular meal had seven elements. First, the host would say a prayer of thanksgiving and all would drink the first cup of diluted wine. Second, they would eat bitter herbs as a reminder of their bitter slavery in Egypt. Third, they would ask, “Why is this night distinguished from all other nights?” and the father’s reply either narrated or read. Fourth, they sing the first part of the Hallel (Psalms 113-114), wash their hands, and then drink a second cup. Fifth, they carve and eat a whole lamb with unleavened bread. Sixth, as they continue eating their meal meal, as much as they could enjoy, they finish the lamb, and then drinking a third cup. Seventh and final, they would sing the last part of the Hallel (Psalms 115-118) then drink a fourth cup. So with an understanding of the Passover ceremony, we can place the Lord’s Supper in its midst. The Gospel of Mark even says that they sang a hymn together, completing the seventh step of the Passover, and went out. Some folks get caught up when reading Luke’s account compared to Matthew or Mark, one may be concerned at the presence of two cups as opposed to one. But, when Luke’s story of Jesus is read in the midst of the Passover meal, it is easy to see that the first cup,

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alluded in verse 17, is not misinformation from Luke about the occurrences at the Lord’s Supper, but rather Luke intentionally placing the act within the great Passover meal. What Jesus is doing, whether his friends knew it or not, was placing himself as the lamb in the Passover, an embodiment of the sacrifice to God for sin. The bread would represent Jesus’ body being broken on the cross just like the bread in their hands. The wine, Jesus’ blood provided for their sins just like the wine provided for the feast.

The New Covenant Eventually, the disciples would come to realize that Jesus, whatever he was about to do, would be bringing about a new covenant between God and his people that somehow related to the covenant the God already had with his people. A covenant isn’t really a word we use much anymore but we make a covenant when we get married, when we introduce new members to the church, and when we dedicated or baptize a child in our church. A covenant is a serious promise or pact that God makes with us. Like a vow. Somehow, Jesus would rewrite the stipulations of the covenant with God’s authority to be more than “I am your God and you are my people”. The Apostle Paul, though not present at this meal, reflects on what has been passed on to him in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26: I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” So he says all the same things as Luke does and then adds this wonderful phrase: For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. Paul highlights for us the stipulations of the New Covenant.

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As long as you do this, you proclaim Jesus’ death until he comes again. Every time you take communion, you proclaim and reaffirm the gospel, the good news that though we have all sinned, you believe that Jesus lived a perfect life, died the death we deserved on our behalf, and rose again so that one day we will live life eternally with him in heaven! When you come to these tables do you realize that? Do you realize that you proclaim the gospel without being on a stage with lights or a microphone but by simply coming to these tables to eat the bread and drink from the cup? You are evangelizing to yourself. When I come to the table with my wife, I take a portion of bread, dip it in the wine, hand it to my wife and do so for myself. Sometime I pray for what happened during our week, ways that we wronged one another, our friends, and God. But every time, I pray for God’s forgiveness and thank Him for His providence and help and by eating the dipped bread I am assured of God’s love and forgiveness for me. He has made me His friend.

Recapturing the Wonder I think our attempt at rationalism as modern people has ravaged our sense of wonder and enchantment with any notion that Jesus could, first, be our friend and, second, that we could sit at the table with him when we take communion. Mike Cosper just wrote a book called Recapturing the Wonder: Transcendent Faith in a Disenchanted World. In it, he says this: A feast is different. A feast is about attention, and attention is about presence. To say that a Thanksgiving meal is all about turkey is to miss the point of the feast. But it’s not all about the company kept or the time of the year either. The feast is made up of all of the elements. At its best, it brings them to a moment in time where they all come together into a soulful, rich experience. Like gifts, feasts are far more than their counterparts. So at first glance, there isn't anything special about the bread or the cup here. The bread is from the store. The cups are from IKEA. The juice from a plastic bottle and the wine from a box. But what we have at these tables are more than their contents.

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I don’t mean that it literally becomes Jesus’ body and blood but it becomes special. It becomes transcendent. When we come to these tables, we are communing with Jesus by His Spirit and we’re communing with one another. When we come to these tables, we are communing with Jesus by His Spirit and we are communing with one another. This meal, like the Last Supper, is highly relational because our God is a relational God. It speaks to the utter relational nature of the Trinity, the Godhead, Father, Son, and Spirit, the relational drive to God’s people through the means of His covenant which is ever applicable and relevant today, two-thousand years later. Not only are the words of God’s covenant, “I will be your God and you will be my people” ring true, but now “by the blood of Jesus, people from every tribe, tongue, nation, color, socioeconomic status, education level, are welcomed into this covenant community of the people of God. Jesus eagerly desires to be with His friends and he makes way through this meal.

Implications of the Last Supper In the full knowledge of his death and the coming kingdom and heaven with the new covenant that he ushers, it is so pertinent to Jesus that he would be with his friends. In his last free moments before his trial and crucifixion, on death row, the incarnation of the Son of God begins the climax to the cross with this last meal spent with his disciples and closest friends. The gift of this meal is about it’s Giver, Jesus, and how he makes us his friends. What if every week, instead of coming to these tables as a weekly ritual practice that becomes tiresome and without enchantment, we came to this filled with wonder? Wonder at who Jesus is and what he’s done for us on the cross. That he would love me even though I’m not a good friend. When you come to these tables, what are you thinking about? What are you believing? Do you believe that Jesus eagerly desires to be with you? As a dear and close friend? Closer than any one else you have in life? Whatever happened this week or will happen next week, this remains true: He died. For me. His body broken and blood shed. For you. And He did so giving thanks.

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So as we close today, I beg you, come to these tables with wonder. With a holy enchantment in Jesus, who has made us his friends by spilling his blood. Let it be the most important thing you do today. I’m telling you, whatever plans you have for the rest of the day pale in comparison to Jesus welcoming you to his table and reminding you that you are his friend, that he loves you, and he loved you before you even loved him.

Conclusion So, as the Lord Jesus instructed the disciples and now us, let us come to the table of the Lord’s Supper with thanksgiving and partake, remembering his perfect life, death, and resurrection for you. Pray. Until Your Kingdom comes, Jesus, we pray your will be done here in San Diego as it is in Heaven.

Confession Lord, we have not come to your table in wonder and awe of you but distracted and attentive to other things. Help us now.

Assurance Lord, as we take your bread and your cup, you have assured us of your love and salvation and friendship with us. Thank you, O Lord!

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