Luke Chapter 22
The Passover Celebration was about to commence in Jerusalem at the same time Jesus was marching to His death. Can you imagine what it must have been like for Him to celebrate the Passover Feast with His disciples, knowing what was about to happen? The Passover is a commemoration of the deliverance of Israel from the slavery in Egypt; and now Jesus was about to offer Himself, as the ultimate redeemer for all of mankind. This would now become the central redemptive act that we would commemorate each year.
There are some differing opinions amongst Bible scholars regarding the calendar timing of Jesus and the disciples eating the Passover seemingly early since the death of Jesus occurred on the actual day of Passover. I believe He did celebrate it a day early because He knew He would be crucified the next day.
John 13:1-5 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 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.
Let's Reflect
1. The chief priests and scribes certainly were not hiding their intentions of wanting to put Jesus to death. Judas knew about their plot and saw an opportunity. The only thing that the religious leaders were concerned about was the people. Jesus was popular with the people and they didn’t want to cause an uprising. How would Judas help them? See verse 6.
2. How is it that Judas who was one of the 12 disciples could do such a thing? See John 6:64
3. Where did the Passover celebration take place for Jesus and His disciples?
4. What did Jesus tell His disciples about Himself, as He broke the bread and lifted up the cup?
5. Jesus pointed out that His betrayer sat at that table with Him. Jesus told them even with or without the work of one of them to betray Him, that the Son of Man would do what? See verse 22.
6. Jesus recognized the devotion of His disciples. He told them they will be rewarded in the future kingdom. What will be their reward?
7. Verse 31 sounds as if Jesus said that satan’s plan was to make a mockery of Peter and to destroy him. That is always the plan of satan when it comes to someone who determines to be a Jesus follower – he wants to destroy them. But Jesus had different plans for him. What did Jesus say that He had done for Peter?
8. In verse 35 what did Jesus remind His disciples of?
9. Peter would deny knowing Jesus three times as Jesus was being beat, but what did Peter do when he realized he had failed Him?
10. What words did Jesus speak in verse 69 that the chief priests and elders deemed blasphemy and reason to put Jesus to death?
Devotionals
