Luke 22:1–20 - 1 Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was approaching. 2 The chief priests and the scribes were seeking how they might put Him to death; for they were afraid of the people. 3 And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, belonging to the number of the twelve. 4 And he went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers how he might betray Him to them. 5 They were glad and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented, and began seeking a good opportunity to betray Him to them apart from the crowd. 7 Then came the first day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 And Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, so that we may eat it.” 9 They said to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare it?” 10 And He said to them, “When you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house that he enters. 11 “And you shall say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?” ’ 12 “And he will show you a large, furnished upper room; prepare it there.” 13 And they left and found everything just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover. 14 When the hour had come, He reclined at the 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 say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; 18 for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And when He had taken some bread and 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 in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood. What does today’s passage say? In today's passage, the Festival of Unleavened Bread and Passover feast was approaching (v. 1). The chief priests and scribes plotted how to kill Jesus while avoiding a riot they feared would happen if they acted during the festival (v. 2). Satan entered Judas Iscariot, prompting him to speak with the Jewish leaders about betraying Jesus to them (vv. 3-6). When the Passover's Day of Preparation arrived, Jesus instructed Peter and John to prepare the meal (vv. 7-13). At the feast, Jesus conveyed His deep desire to share this Passover before His suffering, promising not to partake again until God’s kingdom came (vv. 14-16). He then took bread, broke it as a symbol of His soon-to-be broken body given in sacrifice for them, and shared it in commemoration of Himself (vv. 17-19). Similarly, Jesus shared the Passover wine as a picture of His poured-out blood initiating a new covenant that brings forgiveness of sins (v. 20). How can I apply Luke 22:1-20 to my life? As Jesus gathered His disciples in the upper room, the weight of His impending sacrifice permeated the Passover meal. Yet even anticipating intense anguish, Jesus served His beloved friends and established a new covenant for all who would follow Him. Two thousand years later, we memorialize this Last Supper by taking communion, remembering Christ’s broken body and poured out blood for us. Yet how often do we cling to the promises in this passage rather than skimming over the familiar story? As opposition mounted against Jesus, He modeled unwavering commitment to God’s plan. And though mocked, beaten beyond recognition, and nailed to a criminal’s cross, He submitted without hesitation - all to purchase our salvation. As Christ’s modern disciples, you and I benefit eternally because He endured temporarily. So let us delve deeper into this pivotal moment in Scripture. Jesus knew what awaited Him, yet willingly gave His all - doing so even for the friend who would betray Him. As we reflect on His sacrificial love poured out so we might have new life in Him, several personal applications emerge to shape our obedience in the daily grind. Here are some basic principles from this passage that we should apply to our lives:
Trust That God Truly Causes All Things to Come Together for Our Good, even a Close Friend’s Betrayal and Satan’s Deceit (vv. 1-6): As Jesus neared the cross, Judas' betrayal and the chief priests' scheming remind us of the spiritual battle raging around God's redemptive plan. Yet nothing takes God by surprise. He weaves even enemies' schemes into His purposes. So when deceit, rejection or confusion swirl, choose to trust the Lord's complete control. He directs all circumstances for believers' eternal good, using even evil plans to accomplish His will. Stand secure in God's complete sovereignty, asking Him to give perspective when people or spirits oppose His work. Trust that He allows enemy schemes only to further His redeeming purposes. Let this strengthen confidence that everything, including confounding betrayals, will ultimately come together for good and God's glory. As Christ himself faced betrayal, we too will face heartbreaking rejection. But the suffering Christ endured only paved the way for greater glory when He rose victorious. In the same way, the wounds from betrayals you face will usher in new joy according to God's timing. Purpose now not to let bitterness take root. Instead pray for the grace to forgive so you can stand before Jesus with clean hands and a pure heart. Determine to look beyond the pain of present circumstances to the promise of future redemption. Fixing your eyes on the unseen eternal reality will strengthen you to trust God’s good heart even when people fail you (Genesis 50:20, Proverbs 19:21, Romans 8:28-29).
Food for Thought: When have you seen God work even enemies’ plots for good? How might remembering His sovereignty encourage you in future betrayals or confusion?
Obey the Lord Always Trusting that All that He Has Said Will Come to Pass (vv. 7-13): As Passover approached, Jesus dispatched Peter and John with unusual instructions to secure the meal venue. Rather than explaining, Jesus simply commanded them to follow His directives. And His obedient friends neither questioned nor resisted His puzzling lead. Their example compels us to echo their trust when God's commands perplex us. His ways and thoughts soar higher than ours, so we can have full confidence that all He says will come to pass. Therefore, obey instant and exact - whether He directs you into an unknown future or unfamiliar territory. Should doubt or anxiety arise, let it drive you into deeper stillness and dependence. Determine to follow with steadfast trust, not just when His will makes sense, but especially when it confounds. What incomprehensible comfort to know that all the Lord declares will perfectly unfold. As humans, we often struggle to obey directives that confuse us because we cannot grasp the reasons behind them. But taking God at His word, despite our limitations, demonstrates genuine faith that pleases Him. Ask Him for courage to follow Him into unclear territory or difficult assignments. Choosing to trust His mysterious instructions plants seeds for later joy as His perfect purposes blossom. Though the path may wind through shadowy valleys, His presence lights the way. So, fix your focus on Jesus - not demanding explanations but confident that wherever He guides, His goodness and glory await (Isaiah 55:8-9, John 14:23-24, Hebrews 11:8).
Food for Thought: When has God asked you to obey something that confused you? What happened as a result of trusting Him? How can remembering that bolster your obedience in the future?
Remember and Celebrate at the Lord’s Table the Salvation that We Have Because of What Christ has Done and Know that He Will Come Again (vv. 14-20): As Jesus shared the Passover meal turned Last Supper with His disciples, He infused the traditional feast with new meaning. The broken bread and cup came to represent His body given and blood poured out to institute the new covenant that offers complete forgiveness of sins. But the meal also pointed to the future. For after His death and resurrection, Jesus would share this celebratory fellowship meal anew with His followers in the age to come. So whenever we take communion, we remember Christ's finished work for our redemption and renew our hope in participating in the coming messianic banquet. With reverent joy we proclaim His death and mighty salvation until He returns. As we reflect during communion on Christ’s selfless sacrifice that rescues us from sin’s grip, consider all the Lord has brought you through until now. Where you once walked in darkness, now His light illuminates the path. While lost, He found you and gave you purpose. At your weakest, His strength empowered you. And during seasons of want, He met every need according to His riches. As you commemorate His broken body and outpoured blood, recount specific ways He has shown Himself faithful. Let memories of His steadfast love compel you to worship with expectant hope for all He will continue doing as you await His return (1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Philippians 3:20-21, Revelation 19:6-9).
Food for Thought: How often do you consider future redemption when you take communion? How might remembering Christ’s second coming fuel your worship and anticipation in the present? As we walk with Jesus through the days leading to the cross, we see that God orchestrates even evil for good - using Judas' betrayal to redeem the world. Though the disciples couldn't grasp why their Lord must suffer, they obeyed His call to prepare the Passover meal. And when Christ transformed the traditional feast into a new covenant with His very body and blood, the disciples received it with awe and gratitude. Two thousand years later, you and I remember Christ's sacrifice each time we take communion, proclaiming His death until He returns. How might our obedience and trust mirror the disciples' as we await the culmination of all God's promises? Jesus knew anguish awaited yet submitted to the Father's will - confident of joy to come. As beneficiaries of Christ's willingness to deny self for our salvation, you and I can choose daily surrender. When life perplexes us, we can fix our eyes on Jesus - trusting His perfect wisdom and motives despite our limitations. And through the power of the indwelling Spirit, we can live as poured out offerings - following our Lord's example by pouring into others' lives around us. As we apply these principles, our worship, gratitude, and availability to be spent for Christ's purposes will shape every season ahead. Prayer Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that You would increase my trust in Your complete sovereignty over all things as Jesus modeled in this passage. Enable me to rest in Your constantly weaving even evil schemes into Your purposes for my eternal good. Give me perspective when betrayals, confusion or opposition make it hard to see Your hand over every circumstance. Forgive me for the times I have resisted Your commands that didn’t make sense to me. Teach me to obey You instant and exact - whether into an unknown future or difficult assignment. Grant me courage to follow wherever You lead, trusting Your wisdom beyond my limited understanding. Help me freshly remember all Christ accomplished through willingly enduring the cross, so I can grow in worship of You and readiness to pour out my life for His mission. I pray these things in the most precious name of Jesus, Amen.
Luke 22:20 - And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.” With His Blessings, Pastor Corby
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