Reframing Passover – Luke 22:7-23

When Jesus wanted to eat Passover with his apostles, he had a disciple who owned a house in Jerusalem prepare it for all of them.  That meant acquiring a lamb to slaughter for the meal and the vegetables  and wine normally used for the meal, enough for 13 people.  It meant cleansing the house of leaven.  This was a great service this disciple did for Jesus.

Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.” They said to him, “Where will you have us prepare it?” 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 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?’ And he will show you a large upper room furnished; prepare it there.” And they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

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. But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this.  (Luke 22:7-23 ESV)

The Passover festival was one that required all Jews to come to Jerusalem.  They celebrated and remembered their deliverance by God from Egypt.  He sent death to all the firstborn of Egypt but He passed over the Israelites who sacrificed a lamb and spread its blood on their door posts.  They were instructed to eat unleavened bread as a sign of a new life outside Egypt and then they departed for the promised land of Israel.

But Jesus uses the occasion to institute a new remembrance.  He is the Passover lamb to be slain and who takes away the sin of those who believe in him.  The bread at the Passover supper represents his body and the wine represents his blood spilled to ratify a covenant with those who believe.  God promises to forgive their sin and give them new hearts to obey His law.  Jesus says he will not eat this meal again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom at the great banquet of the saved.

As much as he has desired this time with his disciples, one of them is a betrayer.  This is God’s doing in the ultimate sense.  This is God’s plan to provide salvation.  But the man who betrays Jesus is also responsible for his sin.  God’s sovereignty does not contradict man’s responsibility.