The Certainty Of Christ's Memorial
Book of Luke 22
A "Memorial" is something that preserves the memory of something of great importance.
Today we will see that the Lord's Supper is a memorial of the death and the sufferings of the Lord Jesus Christ as the sacrificial Lamb of God.
We are expected to take part in this memorial service until the Lord returns.
1Co 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
1Co 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
1Co 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
But we are also to be worthy to take part in this remembrance of the work of the Lord.
1Co 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
1Co 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
1Co 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
1Co 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
If we look back to the first Jewish Passover we can get the true meaning of all these things.
Everything about the Passover Feast was designed to teach the people of Israel and of course all those that study the Scriptures, that we all owe our lives to the protecting and guiding hand of God.
If we look back at the first Passover we should see some important things.
Exo 12:22 And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.
Exo 12:23 For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.
Exo 12:24 And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.
If you took that blood and put in the places mentioned in this Scripture you have made the shape of a cross.
The significance is obvious. Israel was saved from the bondage of Egypt by the blood of a perfect lamb.
The world is saved from the bondage of sin by the blood that was shed on Mount Calvary by the blood of the perfect Lamb of God.
It was the Lord Jesus Christ who gave Himself for our redemption!
As Jesus peered out through blood soaked eyes, He said Father forgive them for they know not what they do.
He was looking at us through His own blood.
The Bible says:
Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
Heb 9:23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
At this Passover Feast with His disciples, the Passover had now reached it's end, and had found it's full meaning!
The Passover, which sprinkled the blood of the covenant on those door posts in the land of Egypt, descends until it's last victim dies beneath the shadow of the cross of Jesus Christ.
Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Let's Begin:
*****Luk 22:14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
Luk 22:15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:
Luk 22:16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
Without a doubt we can see that there is a connection between the Passover and the suffering of Jesus Christ.
In "typology", the Passover pictured the coming of Christ (a perfect lamb, the perfect Lamb of God)
The blood that was placed on the side posts and the lintel pictured the blood of Jesus (shed on the cross)
It was a sign that the life and the blood of an innocent lamb had been substituted for the sin of the first born (sin of Adam)
The eating of the lamb represents the spiritual nourishment gained by the feeding of Christ (The Bread of Life, The Lord's Supper)
The unleavened bread is a picture of putting evil out of your life and out of your household.
The Jews used 4 foods and drink items at the Passover Meal.
1) They used a bowl of salt water to remind them of the tears shed by their forefathers, while they were in 430 years of bondage in Egypt.
2) They used a bitter salad like plate, to remind them of the bitterness of bondage and slavery.
3) They used a paste mixture of of fruit and cinnamon sticks, to remind them of the labor in making those bricks from clay and straw.
4) They used 4 cups of wine to remind them of God's 4 promises to deliver their forefathers from bondage.
God promised Israel these 4 things.
Exo 6:6 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:
Exo 6:7 And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.
Exo 6:8 And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I am the LORD.
The Passover Feast was based upon historical facts.
The Lord's Supper is a memorial to the work of the Lord much much more than just history.
The Lord's Supper is a remembrance of the Living Christ until He returns to take us home!
The Passover Feast reached it's end and found it's full meaning with the Lord's Supper!
The Passover then represents the change of slaves to servants!
The Lord's Supper represents the change of servants into the children of God and joint heirs with Christ!
We are close to the end of the Church Age, when that last when victim will die in the shadow of the cross and is "Born Again" and then the return of Jesus Christ.
1Co 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
1Co 5:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Jesus said "you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free".
Don't you just love the Word of God!
We should also remember our Messiah had a human side and that side needed some support for what He was about to do.
Remember Christ "gave" His life, because no man could take it from Him if He so wished not to die!
Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
But above all these things God's created human beings also needed comfort. These chosen men needed reassurance for the things they were about to face!
We can be sure, that God is well aware of the painful steps that each one of us have in our daily walk with Him and all the steps we will take in our own journey in this life!
Maybe the greatest reason for the Lord's Supper of all is, that it looked forward to the glorious future of the Church and all the people of God!
The Lord took His place in that first Communion and the end of these things is when He once again joins with us all at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb!
You know we do not have to look for great things in order to discover the great truths of God.
God will use the routines of common life to show us His deepest secrets.
The Lord Jesus Christ took a simple meal of bread and juice to show us the truth of the "Gospel".
*****Luk 22:17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
Luk 22:18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
We can just imagine the intense love of Christ for us as He took the time to explain to explain the truth, a communion meal of memorial for all believers, yet it was His last meal on this earth.
The Lord Jesus "desired" to spend His last free time with a simple meal and then singing and rejoicing and then prayer before His death and He even took the time to wash their feet as a slave would his master.
The Lord's Supper is all about the death of Christ.
The Lord's Supper is also a picture or a "type" of that Heavenly Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
This will not take place until all things are fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
The Lord's Supper is also God's promise of that future Marriage Feast.
Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Col 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Jesus then took the bread.
*****Luk 22:19 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.
Luk 22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
**There is a great meaning to the bread.
Jesus took the bread and broke it:
This symbolized His broken body.
Jesus Christ sacrificed His body for our deliverance because He needed no deliverance.
Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
AND, this act of the Lord was truly significant to the early church and it should be today:
Act 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Act 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Under the Old Testament the broken bread signified the sufferings of the Jews.
Jesus said this was a New Testament and the bread signified the broken body of Christ.
Jesus said His body would be broken and given for us!
He suffered and died for us!
Jesus took our place on the cross of death. (The wages of sin are death)
Jesus Christ bore the "Judgment of God" for us!
**There is also great meaning in the cup.
Jesus said the cup held the blood of the New Testament.
It is the blood of Jesus Christ that established a New Covenant with God!
It is the blood of Jesus Christ that has allowed us to have a personal relationship with God as He had in the time of Adam before Adam had sinned.
It takes "faith" in these very things to have assurance of eternal life.
Joh 6:53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
Joh 6:56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
Joh 6:57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
The Jews had rejected this truth but the Church lives by this truth!
We can only be saved and our sins forgiven by believing that Christ's blood was shed for our forgiveness.
1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
And Jesus said "do this in remembrance of me".
We are to remember how God liberated Israel from the slavery of Egypt, that's what the Passover was all about.
We are to remember how, by the blood of Christ, we are liberated for the bondage of the sin of this world.
We are to remember that this same blood will make it possible for Jesus to return and take us all into the eternal presence of God.
We should also realize that Jesus Christ used this Lord's Supper to reach out one more time to sinners!
*****Luk 22:21 But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
Luk 22:22 And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!
Luk 22:23 And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
Jesus knew exactly what Judas would do but He also knew that we would be studying these Scriptures and Jesus wants us all to know that He will give every sinner as many opportunities as He can to repent.
Judas knew exactly what Jesus was saying even though the rest of these disciples did not.
Jesus knew what Judas had already done and He wanted Judas to know that He knew.
Jesus knows the same about all sinners.
Jesus also took the time to warn Judas.
This warning extends to all who reject Jesus Christ as their Savior.
Jesus says "woe to those who betray Him"
Judas clearly understood he would face the "judgment" of God, even though he may not have realized the severity of His actions.
The world today knows that God is all about love and through liberal theology they have forgotten about God's "judgment".
In fact there cannot be one without the other!
Terrible judgment is a sure thing for sinners and Judas was made well aware of that this night of the Lord's Supper.
The wages of sin are death and redemption is only by the blood of the Lamb as proven by the Lord's Supper.
God knows the destiny of every sinner and it is not something that makes Him happy!
Each sinner has until the day they die to repent even though just like the Lord knew Judas would not, He knows all sinners who will not ever change their mind.
We should never forget it is also God's "Grace" that warns us of the consequences of sin!
Judas was not forced to turn away from his sin, it was his freedom of choice to decide.
It is by God's "Grace" that He even warns us of the coming "Judgment".
We have a God that respects our will and our desires!
God loves us enough to tell us the truth but He will never force our obedience!
We must understand that there are consequences for going against the Word of God!
So we see that it is the purpose of Lord's Supper to cause a searching of our own hearts.
*****Luk 22:23 And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
Luk 22:24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
We need to understand that we, especially the men have a natural desire for superiority.
We all desire recognition, prestige, position and honor.
Many even desire power and authority.
We have seen where many people in such positions try to become absolute rulers, or monarchy, as our President.
So when we hear that these disciples of Christ had such desires then we should better understand these passages.
When a group of men are together many times there are those who want the others to acknowledge them as the greatest.
That desire becomes sinful when it is of the things of this world!
If that desire is aimed at the work of the Lord it then becomes useful as long as we realize that in our person we are no better than anyone else!
What we see is that these disciples argued about these things just like most other men do!
When we try to rise, at the expense of others or the ruin of others or by trampling on others we are going against everything the Word of God stands for.
True greatness consist of a reverent fear of the Lord and our usefulness to Him and His work, that He has given us to do.
The Holy Spirit is not given to us for enjoyment, He is given to us for our "employment"!
The main ability we need in the work of the Lord is "availability"!
That word "strife" means these men were always eager to argue about who was the greatest disciple of the Lord.
Even these disciples were still thinking about an earthly kingdom where the Lord would appoint them into positions of authority, which will one day take place but that is still in ours and in their future.
Self-seeking will always blind our eyes to the true glory that is in the Lord Jesus Christ!
Even at this last meal, the Lord's Supper, these men were trying to seat themselves in seats of honor.
On the eve of the cross, these men could still only think of worldly things!
And how did Jesus respond to these things, this is our lesson to.
*****Luk 22:25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
A benefactor is one who is granted favors for charitable things they have done in serving others.
A worldly benefactor wants to be known recognized and honored, for what they have done but that word "called" is a great man who is "known to be" a generous man and who gives of himself simply to help others.
Those around him "know him" for what is is!
Psa 10:3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.
And Jesus begins to explain the difference between these two lines of thought.
*****Luk 22:26 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.
Luk 22:27 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.
We already know that there will be rewards and great benefits for serving the Lord which far out weigh and persecution in this life!
So it would pay us to listen to what Jesus says here to His disciples.
It is obvious that Jesus rejects the world's attitude about greatness!
The world says that "he that is being served is the greatest".
Jesus says "it is the one who serves that is greatest".
These are on opposite ends of thought from each other!
True greatness is never a position of power over someone else!
A wise man once said "we are but waiters in the Lord's hotel".
When we acknowledge that we are sinners saved only by the "Grace" of God, it is easy to assume the lowest position in any room because in the end we know that is the highest position after all!
It is true that in most places, age is looked up to and honored, but Jesus says we need to honor those who are His servants no matter their age.
A truly great person will look for people to help and places to help them!
A truly great person will seek for the sake of being a minister to them.
Do we call ourselves Christian or are we known to be Christian?
Php 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
If we are to follow in the example of the Lord, then we must realize the Lord Jesus gave up the glories of Heaven to humble Himself and make a way for our salvation.
Jesus did not ever say we are not to hold a place of authority or a place of honor!
Jesus said "we are to use any place we hold to be servants to the needs of the Church and to Him".
In John's Gospel we are told that it was at this time that Jesus washed the feet of each disciple to prove His point.
Joh 13:5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
In those days of the Jews, there was no less menial task than washing the feet of some one else and that was the duty of the lowest slave.
One of the happiest days of Jesus was when He took our sins to the cross.
The same one who would die for our sins would also wash our feet to clean us from the filth of this world.
Then Jesus said if we are His disciples we would continue in all these things with Him.
*****Luk 22:28 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.
Luk 22:29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;
Luk 22:30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
What is the most important quality of a servant? "That they are faithful"!
It is in our best interest to prove to be faithful servants.
We must continue with Jesus all our days.
We must stand by Him.
We must stick to Him.
We must be like Him.
What are some of the rewards that are set and promised to these disciples?
There would be 12 thrones and each disciple would sit on a throne and be judge to the 12 tribes of Israel.
This promise probably relates to the Millennial Kingdom because it is at that time that Israel will be fully restored to the Promised Land with all the tribes and all the "Resurrected Saints" of the "Church Age" which will include the 12 Apostles and will judge the world.
1Co 6:2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
This is what John saw in the Book of Revelation.
Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
This is also the reason that Jesus said it was not up to Him who was to sit on what throne because this is His Father's plan and God just wants us all to be part of His plan.
Mat 20:22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
Mat 20:23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.
This is also the promise that was made to Israel:
Isa 1:24 Therefore saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies:
Isa 1:25 And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:
Isa 1:26 And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.
There may be no distinction between the Jew and the Gentile in Heaven but during the Millennial Kingdom, The Lord Jesus has made this promise the Apostles.
It was these 12 men who turned the world upside down in the name of Jesus Christ and we have survived by the Doctrine of the Apostles that they gained from the Lord Jesus, why would He not honor them?
These 12 men endured things that most all others will never see in their entire lifetime and all in the name of Jesus Christ.
1Co 4:9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
1Co 4:10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.
1Co 4:11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;
1Co 4:12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
1Co 4:13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
1Co 4:14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
But every true believer will also be rewarded!
Mat 19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
But none of us should never forget that once we have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, we live in the sight of Satan who hates all things of Christ but thank goodness for the Lord.
*****Luk 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
Luk 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
Peter was to carry the load as the leader of these 12 men and we know Peter tripped many times but it should be obvious that Satan paid a lot of attention to Peter and hindered him in every way possible.
When Satan "sifts" any believer he is trying to separate that believer from God!
We need to know and understand these facts!
That word "desired" means that Satan is actually begging God for permission to trip up the disciples of Christ.
Job 1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.
Job 1:7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
Job 1:8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
Job 1:9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
Job 1:10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
Job 1:11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
Job 1:12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
When God allows these things to happen we must realize it is only a test of our faith!
Satan does not care at all for the believer but he will do anything he can to disgrace and cut the heart of God!
We need to make a firm stand no matter what we are going through, because it is God who is in control and not Satan.
We must be aware of the workings of Satan!
2Co 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
Jesus wanted Peter to know he had an intercessor!
We all have an intercessor between us and God and it is the Lord Jesus Christ!
It is the Lord Jesus Christ that steps in, in our defense when Satan wants to attack!
Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
We will definitely suffer as Christians but don't let anyone tell you that Satan can pluck you out of God's hand because that is impossible!
Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Joh 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Joh 10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
Joh 10:30 I and my Father are one.
No doubt we will fail and we will fall, but in every case when we return to the Lord, we will be restored!
Act 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
When we have been through these things ourselves we are then to be that added strength for those that are going through these things later in their own lives.
Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
The worst thing we can do is to become over confident in our own strength!
*****Luk 22:33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.
Luk 22:34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.
Peter was committed to Jesus but he was not considering "spiritual things" at this time.
These men could only think of the material things of this world!
When Peter saw the Lord Jesus captured and beaten his material strength faded away!
Peter's over confidence had made him blind to the cross!
Jesus had explained all these things but these 12 men at this time had failed to believe the Word of God.
There is a great difference in knowing and no knowing the truth!
There are many problems we cause ourselves when we over estimate our own strength!
The strength of the flesh causes weakness in our faith!
It is our faith that makes us strong!
Php 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
That's why it is called "Grace"!
The Lord's Supper should remind us of all these things when we partake of it as a memorial to the One who died for our sins and saved us from the bondage of sin and gave us eternal life in the glories of Heaven.
Questions?
Let's Pray!
Book of Luke 22
A "Memorial" is something that preserves the memory of something of great importance.
Today we will see that the Lord's Supper is a memorial of the death and the sufferings of the Lord Jesus Christ as the sacrificial Lamb of God.
We are expected to take part in this memorial service until the Lord returns.
1Co 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
1Co 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
1Co 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
But we are also to be worthy to take part in this remembrance of the work of the Lord.
1Co 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
1Co 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
1Co 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
1Co 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
If we look back to the first Jewish Passover we can get the true meaning of all these things.
Everything about the Passover Feast was designed to teach the people of Israel and of course all those that study the Scriptures, that we all owe our lives to the protecting and guiding hand of God.
If we look back at the first Passover we should see some important things.
Exo 12:22 And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.
Exo 12:23 For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.
Exo 12:24 And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.
If you took that blood and put in the places mentioned in this Scripture you have made the shape of a cross.
The significance is obvious. Israel was saved from the bondage of Egypt by the blood of a perfect lamb.
The world is saved from the bondage of sin by the blood that was shed on Mount Calvary by the blood of the perfect Lamb of God.
It was the Lord Jesus Christ who gave Himself for our redemption!
As Jesus peered out through blood soaked eyes, He said Father forgive them for they know not what they do.
He was looking at us through His own blood.
The Bible says:
Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
Heb 9:23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
At this Passover Feast with His disciples, the Passover had now reached it's end, and had found it's full meaning!
The Passover, which sprinkled the blood of the covenant on those door posts in the land of Egypt, descends until it's last victim dies beneath the shadow of the cross of Jesus Christ.
Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Let's Begin:
*****Luk 22:14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
Luk 22:15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:
Luk 22:16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
Without a doubt we can see that there is a connection between the Passover and the suffering of Jesus Christ.
In "typology", the Passover pictured the coming of Christ (a perfect lamb, the perfect Lamb of God)
The blood that was placed on the side posts and the lintel pictured the blood of Jesus (shed on the cross)
It was a sign that the life and the blood of an innocent lamb had been substituted for the sin of the first born (sin of Adam)
The eating of the lamb represents the spiritual nourishment gained by the feeding of Christ (The Bread of Life, The Lord's Supper)
The unleavened bread is a picture of putting evil out of your life and out of your household.
The Jews used 4 foods and drink items at the Passover Meal.
1) They used a bowl of salt water to remind them of the tears shed by their forefathers, while they were in 430 years of bondage in Egypt.
2) They used a bitter salad like plate, to remind them of the bitterness of bondage and slavery.
3) They used a paste mixture of of fruit and cinnamon sticks, to remind them of the labor in making those bricks from clay and straw.
4) They used 4 cups of wine to remind them of God's 4 promises to deliver their forefathers from bondage.
God promised Israel these 4 things.
Exo 6:6 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:
Exo 6:7 And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.
Exo 6:8 And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I am the LORD.
The Passover Feast was based upon historical facts.
The Lord's Supper is a memorial to the work of the Lord much much more than just history.
The Lord's Supper is a remembrance of the Living Christ until He returns to take us home!
The Passover Feast reached it's end and found it's full meaning with the Lord's Supper!
The Passover then represents the change of slaves to servants!
The Lord's Supper represents the change of servants into the children of God and joint heirs with Christ!
We are close to the end of the Church Age, when that last when victim will die in the shadow of the cross and is "Born Again" and then the return of Jesus Christ.
1Co 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
1Co 5:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Jesus said "you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free".
Don't you just love the Word of God!
We should also remember our Messiah had a human side and that side needed some support for what He was about to do.
Remember Christ "gave" His life, because no man could take it from Him if He so wished not to die!
Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
But above all these things God's created human beings also needed comfort. These chosen men needed reassurance for the things they were about to face!
We can be sure, that God is well aware of the painful steps that each one of us have in our daily walk with Him and all the steps we will take in our own journey in this life!
Maybe the greatest reason for the Lord's Supper of all is, that it looked forward to the glorious future of the Church and all the people of God!
The Lord took His place in that first Communion and the end of these things is when He once again joins with us all at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb!
You know we do not have to look for great things in order to discover the great truths of God.
God will use the routines of common life to show us His deepest secrets.
The Lord Jesus Christ took a simple meal of bread and juice to show us the truth of the "Gospel".
*****Luk 22:17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
Luk 22:18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
We can just imagine the intense love of Christ for us as He took the time to explain to explain the truth, a communion meal of memorial for all believers, yet it was His last meal on this earth.
The Lord Jesus "desired" to spend His last free time with a simple meal and then singing and rejoicing and then prayer before His death and He even took the time to wash their feet as a slave would his master.
The Lord's Supper is all about the death of Christ.
The Lord's Supper is also a picture or a "type" of that Heavenly Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
This will not take place until all things are fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
The Lord's Supper is also God's promise of that future Marriage Feast.
Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Col 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Jesus then took the bread.
*****Luk 22:19 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.
Luk 22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
**There is a great meaning to the bread.
Jesus took the bread and broke it:
This symbolized His broken body.
Jesus Christ sacrificed His body for our deliverance because He needed no deliverance.
Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
AND, this act of the Lord was truly significant to the early church and it should be today:
Act 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Act 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Under the Old Testament the broken bread signified the sufferings of the Jews.
Jesus said this was a New Testament and the bread signified the broken body of Christ.
Jesus said His body would be broken and given for us!
He suffered and died for us!
Jesus took our place on the cross of death. (The wages of sin are death)
Jesus Christ bore the "Judgment of God" for us!
**There is also great meaning in the cup.
Jesus said the cup held the blood of the New Testament.
It is the blood of Jesus Christ that established a New Covenant with God!
It is the blood of Jesus Christ that has allowed us to have a personal relationship with God as He had in the time of Adam before Adam had sinned.
It takes "faith" in these very things to have assurance of eternal life.
Joh 6:53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
Joh 6:56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
Joh 6:57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
The Jews had rejected this truth but the Church lives by this truth!
We can only be saved and our sins forgiven by believing that Christ's blood was shed for our forgiveness.
1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
And Jesus said "do this in remembrance of me".
We are to remember how God liberated Israel from the slavery of Egypt, that's what the Passover was all about.
We are to remember how, by the blood of Christ, we are liberated for the bondage of the sin of this world.
We are to remember that this same blood will make it possible for Jesus to return and take us all into the eternal presence of God.
We should also realize that Jesus Christ used this Lord's Supper to reach out one more time to sinners!
*****Luk 22:21 But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
Luk 22:22 And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!
Luk 22:23 And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
Jesus knew exactly what Judas would do but He also knew that we would be studying these Scriptures and Jesus wants us all to know that He will give every sinner as many opportunities as He can to repent.
Judas knew exactly what Jesus was saying even though the rest of these disciples did not.
Jesus knew what Judas had already done and He wanted Judas to know that He knew.
Jesus knows the same about all sinners.
Jesus also took the time to warn Judas.
This warning extends to all who reject Jesus Christ as their Savior.
Jesus says "woe to those who betray Him"
Judas clearly understood he would face the "judgment" of God, even though he may not have realized the severity of His actions.
The world today knows that God is all about love and through liberal theology they have forgotten about God's "judgment".
In fact there cannot be one without the other!
Terrible judgment is a sure thing for sinners and Judas was made well aware of that this night of the Lord's Supper.
The wages of sin are death and redemption is only by the blood of the Lamb as proven by the Lord's Supper.
God knows the destiny of every sinner and it is not something that makes Him happy!
Each sinner has until the day they die to repent even though just like the Lord knew Judas would not, He knows all sinners who will not ever change their mind.
We should never forget it is also God's "Grace" that warns us of the consequences of sin!
Judas was not forced to turn away from his sin, it was his freedom of choice to decide.
It is by God's "Grace" that He even warns us of the coming "Judgment".
We have a God that respects our will and our desires!
God loves us enough to tell us the truth but He will never force our obedience!
We must understand that there are consequences for going against the Word of God!
So we see that it is the purpose of Lord's Supper to cause a searching of our own hearts.
*****Luk 22:23 And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
Luk 22:24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
We need to understand that we, especially the men have a natural desire for superiority.
We all desire recognition, prestige, position and honor.
Many even desire power and authority.
We have seen where many people in such positions try to become absolute rulers, or monarchy, as our President.
So when we hear that these disciples of Christ had such desires then we should better understand these passages.
When a group of men are together many times there are those who want the others to acknowledge them as the greatest.
That desire becomes sinful when it is of the things of this world!
If that desire is aimed at the work of the Lord it then becomes useful as long as we realize that in our person we are no better than anyone else!
What we see is that these disciples argued about these things just like most other men do!
When we try to rise, at the expense of others or the ruin of others or by trampling on others we are going against everything the Word of God stands for.
True greatness consist of a reverent fear of the Lord and our usefulness to Him and His work, that He has given us to do.
The Holy Spirit is not given to us for enjoyment, He is given to us for our "employment"!
The main ability we need in the work of the Lord is "availability"!
That word "strife" means these men were always eager to argue about who was the greatest disciple of the Lord.
Even these disciples were still thinking about an earthly kingdom where the Lord would appoint them into positions of authority, which will one day take place but that is still in ours and in their future.
Self-seeking will always blind our eyes to the true glory that is in the Lord Jesus Christ!
Even at this last meal, the Lord's Supper, these men were trying to seat themselves in seats of honor.
On the eve of the cross, these men could still only think of worldly things!
And how did Jesus respond to these things, this is our lesson to.
*****Luk 22:25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
A benefactor is one who is granted favors for charitable things they have done in serving others.
A worldly benefactor wants to be known recognized and honored, for what they have done but that word "called" is a great man who is "known to be" a generous man and who gives of himself simply to help others.
Those around him "know him" for what is is!
Psa 10:3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.
And Jesus begins to explain the difference between these two lines of thought.
*****Luk 22:26 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.
Luk 22:27 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.
We already know that there will be rewards and great benefits for serving the Lord which far out weigh and persecution in this life!
So it would pay us to listen to what Jesus says here to His disciples.
It is obvious that Jesus rejects the world's attitude about greatness!
The world says that "he that is being served is the greatest".
Jesus says "it is the one who serves that is greatest".
These are on opposite ends of thought from each other!
True greatness is never a position of power over someone else!
A wise man once said "we are but waiters in the Lord's hotel".
When we acknowledge that we are sinners saved only by the "Grace" of God, it is easy to assume the lowest position in any room because in the end we know that is the highest position after all!
It is true that in most places, age is looked up to and honored, but Jesus says we need to honor those who are His servants no matter their age.
A truly great person will look for people to help and places to help them!
A truly great person will seek for the sake of being a minister to them.
Do we call ourselves Christian or are we known to be Christian?
Php 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
If we are to follow in the example of the Lord, then we must realize the Lord Jesus gave up the glories of Heaven to humble Himself and make a way for our salvation.
Jesus did not ever say we are not to hold a place of authority or a place of honor!
Jesus said "we are to use any place we hold to be servants to the needs of the Church and to Him".
In John's Gospel we are told that it was at this time that Jesus washed the feet of each disciple to prove His point.
Joh 13:5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
In those days of the Jews, there was no less menial task than washing the feet of some one else and that was the duty of the lowest slave.
One of the happiest days of Jesus was when He took our sins to the cross.
The same one who would die for our sins would also wash our feet to clean us from the filth of this world.
Then Jesus said if we are His disciples we would continue in all these things with Him.
*****Luk 22:28 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.
Luk 22:29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;
Luk 22:30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
What is the most important quality of a servant? "That they are faithful"!
It is in our best interest to prove to be faithful servants.
We must continue with Jesus all our days.
We must stand by Him.
We must stick to Him.
We must be like Him.
What are some of the rewards that are set and promised to these disciples?
There would be 12 thrones and each disciple would sit on a throne and be judge to the 12 tribes of Israel.
This promise probably relates to the Millennial Kingdom because it is at that time that Israel will be fully restored to the Promised Land with all the tribes and all the "Resurrected Saints" of the "Church Age" which will include the 12 Apostles and will judge the world.
1Co 6:2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
This is what John saw in the Book of Revelation.
Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
This is also the reason that Jesus said it was not up to Him who was to sit on what throne because this is His Father's plan and God just wants us all to be part of His plan.
Mat 20:22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
Mat 20:23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.
This is also the promise that was made to Israel:
Isa 1:24 Therefore saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies:
Isa 1:25 And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:
Isa 1:26 And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.
There may be no distinction between the Jew and the Gentile in Heaven but during the Millennial Kingdom, The Lord Jesus has made this promise the Apostles.
It was these 12 men who turned the world upside down in the name of Jesus Christ and we have survived by the Doctrine of the Apostles that they gained from the Lord Jesus, why would He not honor them?
These 12 men endured things that most all others will never see in their entire lifetime and all in the name of Jesus Christ.
1Co 4:9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
1Co 4:10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.
1Co 4:11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;
1Co 4:12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
1Co 4:13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
1Co 4:14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
But every true believer will also be rewarded!
Mat 19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
But none of us should never forget that once we have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, we live in the sight of Satan who hates all things of Christ but thank goodness for the Lord.
*****Luk 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
Luk 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
Peter was to carry the load as the leader of these 12 men and we know Peter tripped many times but it should be obvious that Satan paid a lot of attention to Peter and hindered him in every way possible.
When Satan "sifts" any believer he is trying to separate that believer from God!
We need to know and understand these facts!
That word "desired" means that Satan is actually begging God for permission to trip up the disciples of Christ.
Job 1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.
Job 1:7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
Job 1:8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
Job 1:9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
Job 1:10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
Job 1:11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
Job 1:12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
When God allows these things to happen we must realize it is only a test of our faith!
Satan does not care at all for the believer but he will do anything he can to disgrace and cut the heart of God!
We need to make a firm stand no matter what we are going through, because it is God who is in control and not Satan.
We must be aware of the workings of Satan!
2Co 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
Jesus wanted Peter to know he had an intercessor!
We all have an intercessor between us and God and it is the Lord Jesus Christ!
It is the Lord Jesus Christ that steps in, in our defense when Satan wants to attack!
Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
We will definitely suffer as Christians but don't let anyone tell you that Satan can pluck you out of God's hand because that is impossible!
Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Joh 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Joh 10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
Joh 10:30 I and my Father are one.
No doubt we will fail and we will fall, but in every case when we return to the Lord, we will be restored!
Act 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
When we have been through these things ourselves we are then to be that added strength for those that are going through these things later in their own lives.
Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
The worst thing we can do is to become over confident in our own strength!
*****Luk 22:33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.
Luk 22:34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.
Peter was committed to Jesus but he was not considering "spiritual things" at this time.
These men could only think of the material things of this world!
When Peter saw the Lord Jesus captured and beaten his material strength faded away!
Peter's over confidence had made him blind to the cross!
Jesus had explained all these things but these 12 men at this time had failed to believe the Word of God.
There is a great difference in knowing and no knowing the truth!
There are many problems we cause ourselves when we over estimate our own strength!
The strength of the flesh causes weakness in our faith!
It is our faith that makes us strong!
Php 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
That's why it is called "Grace"!
The Lord's Supper should remind us of all these things when we partake of it as a memorial to the One who died for our sins and saved us from the bondage of sin and gave us eternal life in the glories of Heaven.
Questions?
Let's Pray!
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