Luke 22:1 Now the feast of unleavened bread, which is called the Passover, was approaching. 2 The chief priests and the scribes sought how they might put him to death, for they feared the people. 3 Satan entered into Judas, who was also called Iscariot, who was counted with the twelve. 4 He went away, and talked with the chief priests and captains about how he might deliver him to them. 5 They were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 He consented, and sought an opportunity to deliver him to them in the absence of the multitude.
No more games. It was no longer enough for the priests to trap Jesus in an attempt to discredit him. Now the chief priests were talking openly about assassination. Seizing on the opportunity to finally defeat Christ, Satan entered Judas, who then offered to deliver Christ into the hands of the religious authorities.
Judas was not just a disciple; he was a member of the inner circle, one of the twelve. This should be a lesson in Proverbs 4:23 for all believers. We are to above all else, guard [our] hearts, for everything else flows from it. We are never to allow bitterness, greed, resentment, sexual immorality, or any other sin gain a foothold in our hearts so that it may grow to overpower and destroy us. And note, this is not just a passive action. We are to actively be on guard because Satan is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8
Luke 22:7 The day of unleavened bread came, on which the Passover lamb must be sacrificed. 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.”
9 They said to him, “Where do you want us to prepare?”
10 He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered into the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him into the house which he enters. 11 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 He will show you a large, furnished upper room. Make preparations there.”
13 They went, found things as Jesus had told them, and they prepared the Passover. 14 When the hour had come, he sat down with the twelve apostles. 15 He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, 16 for I tell you, I will no longer by any means eat of it until it is fulfilled in God’s Kingdom.” 17 He received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, “Take this, and share it among yourselves, 18 for I tell you, I will not drink at all again from the fruit of the vine, until God’s Kingdom comes.”
19 He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me.” 20 Likewise, he took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
One thousand five hundred years before Christ, God had instituted the celebration of the Passover to commentate Israel being freed from slavery in Egypt.
The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, 2 “This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year. 3 Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household…The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect… the members of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight. 7 Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs… It is the Lord’s Passover.
12 “On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. 13 The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.
14 “This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord—a lasting ordinance. 15 For seven days you are to eat bread made without yeast… “Celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread, because it was on this very day that I brought your divisions out of Egypt. Celebrate this day as a lasting ordinance for the generations to come… When the Lord goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down.
Exodus 12:1-15
Christ explains to His disciples that while the Passover meal celebrated the freedom of Israel from slavery, the Passover actually looked forward to an even greater freedom. The blood of a spotless lamb was sprinkled on the doorposts and the lamb was consumed in preparation for their journey. As amazing as the Exodus was, it was a picture and placeholder of an even more remarkable Exodus, Christ’s offer of freedom to all the peoples and nations living in bondage to Satan. Christ stood in for us taking the punishment that we deserved: his blood was shed and his body was broken. Christ has bound the strong man, Luke 11:21 and is freeing the captives in a glorious worldwide Exodus.
The blood of the lamb, without defect, sprinkled on the doorposts, saved the Israelites from death at that particular time. But even more amazing, the blood of Christ, the perfect Lamb of God, defeated death for all time, setting those captive to sin free.
By his death he [broke] the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and freed those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
Hebrews 2:14-15
The Lord Jesus, by His perfect obedience and sacrifice of Himself, which He through the eternal Spirit once offered unto God, hath fully satisfied the justice of His Father; and purchased not only reconciliation, but an everlasting inheritance in the Kingdom of Heaven, for all those whom the Father hath given unto Him.
(Westminster Confession of Faith, Of Christ the Mediator)
Although Jesus sat down to the Passover meal, he refused to drink or eat saying, “I will no longer by any means eat of it until it is fulfilled in God’s Kingdom.” He received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, “Take this, and share it among yourselves, for I tell you, I will not drink at all again from the fruit of the vine, until God’s Kingdom comes.”… He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me.”
Jesus served the meal to the disciples so that after his death and resurrection the meaning of the meal would be clear to them. Christ had always been the meaning of the Passover. He was the reality that the symbol looked forward to. And just like Passover was celebrated as a lasting ordinance, Exodus 12:15 Christians are to celebrate the Passover meal so that all generations never lose sight of the true Lamb of God, sacrificed on their behalf.
Luke 22:21 But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. 22 The Son of Man indeed goes, as it has been determined, but woe to that man through whom he is betrayed!”
23 They began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing. 24 A dispute also arose among them, which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 He said to them, “The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ 26 But not so with you. But one who is the greater among you, let him become as the younger, and one who is governing, as one who serves. 27 For who is greater, one who sits at the table, or one who serves? Isn’t it he who sits at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. 28 But you are those who have continued with me in my trials. 29 I confer on you a kingdom, even as my Father conferred on me, 30 that you may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. You will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Kings of the nations lord it over them… In the world, those who secure political office frequently become corrupt using their position as a license to exploit others for financial gain. Similarly, many false teachers see the ministry as a means to the end of enriching themselves. But, by contrast, in Christ’s upside-down Kingdom, whoever wants to be the greatest must be the servant. In Christ’s Kingdom,to lead is to serve, uplifting those who are outcast, exploited, enslaved, and suffering, not lording over, but, rather, enabling and equipping others.
In John’s telling of this after the Passover meal, Christ, the King, put on the robe of a servant and washed his disciples feet:
When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
John 13:1-17
Although this is largely forgotten today, in the past, as the nations came to Christ, Isaiah 60:3 the leader of the nation became known as the Prime Minister, in other words, The First Servant. To be the leader is the highest ethical calling. The Prime Minister is to be the servant of the people bringing healing, renewal, and peace to the land.
Luke 22:31 The Lord said, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have all of you, that he might sift you as wheat, 32 but I prayed for you, that your faith wouldn’t fail. You, when once you have turned again, establish your brothers.”
33 He said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death!”
34 He said, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster today you will deny that you know me three times.”
To sift wheat is to violently shake it so as to separate the wheat chaff from the kernel. Jesus warns Simon Peter that Satan has asked to permanently separate Simon from Jesus, much as Satan had separated Judas from Jesus. In addition to warning Simon, Jesus stated that he had prayed to the Father to defeat Satan’s plan. He had asked that Simon’s faith not fail.
Simon proclaimed that he was ready to go with [Jesus] both to prison and death, but Simon did not really know his own heart. The heart is deceitful above all things. Who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9 When confronted, Simon denied Christ, but upon hearing the rooster crow, he repented.
Do you know your heart?
Satan’s goal has always been to destroy the works of God. John 10:10 One of the ways that he accomplishes this is to sow seeds of division. Watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites… The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. Romans 16:17-20
In our society today Satan and his followers continue to sow seeds of division trying to separate people by race, religion, gender, economics, ancestry, intelligence, color, nationality, and by any other means that they can think of. They try to create victims by sowing suspicion, distrust, inequity, turning neighbors, friends and family, into adversaries. And, if possible, they employ the same tactics within the church. While some churches have succumbed and believed Satan’s Critical Theory and social justice lies, the beautiful hallmark of the church is unity because all believers, regardless of race, or nationality, or intelligence, or accomplishment are all united in Christ as brothers and sisters, heirs of the Promise. Galatians 3:29 When our confidence wavers, Christians are to stand firm. Ephesians 6:13 Because we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, Hebrews 12:28, the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. Romans 16:17-20
Luke 22:35 He said to them, “When I sent you out without purse, wallet, and sandals, did you lack anything?”
They said, “Nothing.”
36 Then he said to them, “But now, whoever has a purse, let him take it, and likewise a wallet. Whoever has none, let him sell his cloak, and buy a sword. 37 For I tell you that this which is written must still be fulfilled in me: ‘He was counted with transgressors.’Isaiah 53:12 For that which concerns me has an end.” 38 They said, “Lord, behold, here are two swords.”
He said to them, “That is enough.”
Knowing that his ministry and life are, as prophesied, coming to and end, Jesus calls the disciples together for some final instructions. “I tell you that this which is written must still be fulfilled in me: ‘He was counted with transgressors.’ Isaiah 53:12 For that which concerns me has an end.”
In John 17:11-13 Jesus had prayed for his disciples, knowing that after his ascension into heaven, they would frequently find themselves in dire situations. When Christ was with them they had no need of a wallet, sandals, and sword. But with Christ’s departure, and with the disciples heading out to the uttermost parts of the earth, they needed to take necessary precautions, money, clothing, and a means of protection against thieves and highwaymen.
Many do not understand this important teaching today because the increasingly effeminate church misunderstands meekness. Jesus is said to be meek, but this does not mean that he is spineless and docile. Was Christ tame when he walked into the Pharisees’ traps and confronted them? Was Christ docile when he whipped the people in the temple? Was Paul meek when he boldly stood before kings or when he appealed his court case to Caesar? The Biblical meaning of meek is that of a warrior who is able to demonstrate patient restraint when faced with a threat. We are warriors of the reigning King, bearing the sword of his Word, fearlessly bringing his message of salvation to the world.