Daily Devotional Sunday 19th January 2020
by William Moody
Luke 22:7–20
The Passover with the Disciples
7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 So Jesus1 sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.” 9 They said to him, “Where will you have us prepare it?” 10 He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters 11 and tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 And he will show you a large upper room furnished; prepare it there.” 13 And they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.
Institution of the Lord’s Supper
14 And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you I will not eat it2 until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And he took a cup, and when he had given 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 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.” 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.3
Footnotes
[1] 22:8
Greek he
[2] 22:16Some manuscripts never eat it again
[3] 22:20Some manuscripts omit, in whole or in part, verses 19b-20 (which is given . . . in my blood) (ESV)
It mentions that the Passover Lamb had to be sacrificed (v7). Jesus knew that He was that Lamb. He’s not fearfully trying to run away, but Jesus is in complete control of the situation which can be seen in that arrangements had already been made for the Upper Room to be available to celebrate the Passover (v8-13).
God leaves nothing to chance, He is in control of everything, He has everything worked out down to the last detail. We might be shocked as we’re caught unawares, but God is never shocked, He is in control.
Jesus has been looking forward to this last meal before His death (v14-18). Jesus wants to spend time with His dear disciples and is excited about the truth He is now going to share.
Jesus had been longing to share about how the bread represents His body which will be broken (v19) and how the cup represents His blood which will be poured out for many (v20). The fact that Jesus so wants to speak of these things which represent His suffering, shows His amazing love and how He went to the cross with joy at the prospect of saving His people.
copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.