The Last Hours - Preaching The Cross

Luke 22:7-13

INTRO: Good morning church. Our text today is Luke 22:7-13 – “7. Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed. 8. And He sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.'' 9. So they said to Him, "Where do You want us to prepare?'' 10. And He said to them, "Behold, when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house which he enters. 11. "Then you shall say to the master of the house, `The Teacher says to you, "Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?'' ' 12. "Then he will show you a large, furnished upper room; there make ready.'' 13. So they went and found it as He had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.”[NKJV]

We have, over the past few Lord’s days, been approaching the cross in our lessons. We have come now to the last hours of Jesus. At Matthew 26:18 – “And He said, "Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, `The Teacher says, "My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.'' ' ''” Jesus says, “My time is at hand.” Very little time now remains before Jesus will be crucified by Roman soldiers. Yet, in the hours remaining there is so much to see and to learn. For Jesus the economy of time and the use of precious hours are so important ... and so obvious to readers of the gospel narratives. It is the Passover season. Jerusalem is crowded with worshipers. The enemies of Jesus, as much as they wanted Him dead concluded, as we find in Matthew 26:5 – “But they said, "Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.''” It was an emotional time in Jerusalem. Almost anything could happen. Historians tell us that during the Passover a special contingent of Roman soldiers was posted there in the event of a disturbance of some sort. Amidst all of this, Jesus quietly, calmly eats the last supper with the apostles. We come to our view of the last supper in the 26^th chapter of the gospel of Matthew.

I. THE “LAST SUPPER”

A. It is at this supper we find the betrayer is identified. Matthew 26:21-25 – “21. Now as they were eating, He said, "Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.'' 22. And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, "Lord, is it I?'' 23. Then He answered and said, "He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me. 24. "The Son of Man goes as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.'' 25. Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, "Rabbi, is it I?'' He said to him, "You have said it.''”

1. The betrayal “deal” had already been made as we read in Matthew 26:14-16 – “Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?'' And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.”
2. Prophetically we read in Psalm 41:9 – “Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.” – Jesus identifies this passage from the book of Psalms as specifically referring to the betrayer in John 13:18 – “"I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, `He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.'”

B. More significant though is the “institution” of what we refer to as the Lord’s Supper in Matthew 26:26-29 – “26. And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed it and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body.'' 27. Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. 28. "For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29. "But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom.''”

1. Elements present at the Passover Feast were unleavened bread, and the fruit of the vine – In Exodus 12:18-20 – we read, “18. `In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread, until the twenty-first day of the month at evening. 19. `For seven days no leaven shall be found in your houses, since whoever eats what is leavened, that same person shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he is a stranger or a native of the land. 20. `You shall eat nothing leavened; in all your dwellings you shall eat unleavened bread.' ''” This is the Passover Season and during this season according to what we just read in Exodus, no leaven would be permitted in Israel. It is called the feast of unleavened bread.
2. Again in Matthew 26:26 – “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed it and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body.” – In Paul’s review of the institution of the Lord’s supper in - 1^st Corinthians 11:24 – “and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.''” Though not a single bone of His body was broken, yet in His dying on the cross His body is broken for us.
3. Next at v. 27 of Matthew 26 we read of the fruit of the vine. Matthew 26:27 – “Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” - “this is my blood” - In Hebrews 9:22 – we are reminded that “…. without shedding of blood is no remission.” His body, His blood. The great atoning sacrifice, memorialized in simple, unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine. Memorialize is defined as providing a memorial for, and a memorial is defined as something which brings to mind a person or an event. To bring to remembrance.
4. Now Matthew 26:29 – “But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom.” – This reminds me of – 1^st Corinthians 10:16 – “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?” What a significant word, communion. You and I this morning have communed with the blood and the body of Jesus Christ. Communion or fellowship. You and I this very morning, with our Lord, have observed the Lord’s Supper in the Kingdom.
5. In Luke’s gospel concerning the last supper. Luke 22:19 – “And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.'' - “do this in remembrance of me” - clearly, a memorial feast. We have today memorialized the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
6. Look with me now in 1^st Corinthians 11:26 – “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.” – Notice Paul says that this is a declaration of His coming again - confirmation that humanity is not finished with Jesus! We have eaten the Lord’s supper this morning not only as a memorial to the death of Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice for our sins—but also as a declaration that Jesus is coming again.

II. HE WASHES THE FEET OF THE APOSTLES

A. In John’s gospel we find something very unusual took place at this feast. At the feast Jesus washes the feet of the apostles. John 13:4-5 – He “rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.” - “and began to wash the disciples’ feet”

1. What is unusual in this event is at that time this was a servant’s responsibility - a menial task of lowly service.
2. I can only imagine how the disciples were taken aback by this. Jesus gets up from the table and lays aside His garment, wraps a towel around Himself, takes a basin of water and stoops to wash the dusty feet of the apostles - note Peter’s reaction at v. 8-9.

B. What Jesus did, was memorialized in John 13. Jesus gave a great demonstration, an object lesson. I know there are those that try to decipher other things from this. Does this mean we need to have a basin and be washing one another’s feet? Let’s read;
C. John 13:12-16 – “ So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you?” Let’s pause here and hold that thought as we read Luke 22:24 – “But there was also rivalry among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest.”

1. “Do you know what I’ve done to you” Jesus asks. As I think about that against the background showing that they are divided among themselves about who is to be considered greater; I wonder, could this strife have motivated Jesus’ action?
2. Continue in John 13:13f – “"You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. "For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.” – The disciples are divided. Who is more important? Jesus demonstrates to them that not a single one of them is greater then the others. He agrees that He is their master. Yet, He can wash their feet. What can we learn from this? Let me suggest;

a. If a person has a good understanding of himself, who he is, his identity, he can stoop to any kind of service.
b. Jesus uses the word we translate “as” “as I have done”. A word of comparison that indicates the service they should do is not necessarily in the literal washing of one another’s feet but “as” He has done. Taking the opportunities to serve in any way possible.
c. If the Master can serve in the most menial of ways, His servants must not think they are too good to do so. Not one of us is so important in the following of Christ, in the Kingdom, that they can not stoop to lowly service. John 13 teaches by demonstration how you and I, as disciples of our Lord are not to elevate ourselves in any way where we can not serve.

III. JESUS’ PRAYER FOR HIS DISCIPLES

A. In John 17 we read the wonderful prayer of Jesus that He makes in these last hours. John 17:4 – “I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.” – I wonder how one glorifies the Father? I suspect all of us have wondered that from time to time. How do we glorify God?

1. Then immediately I see that Jesus gives the answer right there in simple words: “I have finished the work...”
2. We glorify God in the careful obedience to His will - as Jesus exemplified.
3. As we read this in John’s gospel I wonder if we don’t miss the point, that this simple, sweet prayer ... is truly instructive! This, like all other things is preserved in scripture for our instruction. The first thing this prayer teaches is how to glorify God, and that is in the same way that Jesus glorified Him by accomplishing the work He has set out for us to do, by obeying His revealed will.

B. The second thing we are taught in this prayer is found in John 17:14-16 – “14. "I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15. "I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16. "They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” - Discipleship must be lived in the real world. There are times when I could pray that it be time to go home to be with the Lord. I get tired, and discouraged, and I lose sight of the point of this life.

1. We must always remember while we are to live in this world we are not of the world.
2. The secret folks to living in, but not of, the world I find in John 17:17 - "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth."  The word sanctify comes from the same root as the word we translate Holy. This word means in its root form, “different”. Make them different, different from what? Different from the worldly people whose minds are all on worldly things. Make them different “through thy truth” :” thy word is truth”
3. Later, just before Jesus is sent to the cross, Pilate will ask, “What is truth?” - The answer is clear! God’s word.

C. John 17:20-21 – “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” – He has prayed so we understand what it is to glorify God. He has prayed so we understand how it is we live a different life here in this world. Now He prays so we understand the need for unity among believers.

1. And yet, that unity has been so difficult to achieve and maintain over years of time. 1^st Corinthians 1:10 – Here the apostle writes to a church which unfortunately is much divided. “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”– He goes on to explain concerning the division there. That church was divided ... and the solution was that they all needed to speak the same thing. What is it that they, and we, are to speak? The word of God.
2. We need, you and I to do all that we possibly can to achieve and maintain unity. Not by negotiation and compromise with worldly things but unity based on the word of God. Not union but unity.

a. Too much, the religious people of this world seek union. You be this and we will be that, but we will be at union one with another. We will work together in union to accomplish some goal, some charitable need perhaps.
b. All of that sounds oh so good to our “human” minds. But folks, that is not unity based on the word of God. The only unity worthy of the name is unity that goes to the word of God. We can be one, as long as we teach, preach and practice exactly what the word of God defines.

3. One more thing about those last hours I’d like to look at. Go back with me to

IV. WELL MEANING AFFIRMATIONS BY THE APOSTLES

A. Matthew 26:31-35 – “31. Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: `I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' 32. "But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.'' 33. Peter answered and said to Him, "Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.'' 34. Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.'' 35. Peter said to Him, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!'' And so said all the disciples.”

1. Jesus, once again, speaks of His death and resurrection - He quotes from Zechariah 13:7 – “Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, against the Man who is My Companion,'' says the Lord of hosts. "Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; then I will turn My hand against the little ones” - prophecy concerning the Messiah’s death.
2. He adds that “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night”
3. Jesus even tells them that after His resurrection He will meet them in Galilee!

B. This, of course, brings a well meaning protest from Peter and the rest.

1. “I will not deny You” - “And so said all the disciples.”
2. I do not doubt for a single minute the sincerity of these words of the apostles. I believe that when they said this they believed they could remain steadfast even to the point of their own death as Peter suggested.
3. We simply do not know what the “hour of trial” may bring - how will we react; respond when the pressure is very real. In the hour of trial when the cost may be so great… even to the cost of ones life. There was a requirement of the Roman government in the first century that every person say that Cesar was lord. Simple words. Christians were required to do the same thing. Historians tell us that there were those Christians that steadfastly refused to do so. But there were pragmatic Christians, who in the hour of trial said; “those are just words. I know Jesus is Lord and Cesar is not deity, but I’ll say those words so I can continue with my life as usual.” Think of 1^st Peter 5:8-9 – “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”

CLOSE: It is interesting to me that Jesus’ last meal before His crucifixion is at the time of Passover. Even more interesting, it was the last meal before He became our Passover. I’m thinking of 1^st Corinthians 5:7 – “Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.”! It was the blood of the Passover lamb which spared the children of Israel on that fateful night. It is the blood of Jesus Christ, our Passover Lamb, which can spare us from eternal death. Have you availed yourself of that sacrifice? In Revelation 1:5 John reminds us it is by the blood of Jesus that our sins are washed away. We find that word “wash” again in Acts 22:16 in connection with baptism. It should be logical to us then, that it is the blood of Jesus which cleanses us and washes us from our sins. In the washing, not the filth of the flesh, but the washing away of sins in baptism, Jesus becomes our Passover. But have we applied the blood?
If you have never been baptized into Jesus Christ you are in danger of eternal death just as the children of Israel so long ago in Egypt, were in danger of death if the blood of the Passover lamb was not applied to the doorway of the house. You can apply the blood of Christ this morning in faith and penitence as you confess the name of Jesus Christ, you can be buried with Christ in baptism. Think of where you are beneath the cross of Christ. Are you in Christ or are you just an onlooker? If you need to be baptized or if you have any other needs we invite you to come as we stand and sing.

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Adopted from Sermon by: Cecil A. Hutson