A 5-day per week study.

Review – The Jews wanted Jesus dead, but they were afraid to act at Passover time for fear of the people.  Satan entered into Judas.  He went to the Jewish leaders and promised to betray Jesus to them … “in the absence of a crowd.”  They agreed and paid him.  They were thinking AFTER Passover week, but God had another timetable. Jesus was to be the ultimate Passover Lamb.

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Vss. 22:7-13.

“Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.”

Jesus told Peter and John to prepare the meal so they could all eat the Passover together. When they asked about the location, Jesus gave them detailed instructions.  (This was kind of like when Jesus sent for the donkey colt to ride into Jerusalem.)  God had prepared hearts beforehand.

They were to look for the man carrying a water jug.  In a city packed with crowds of people, how would they find ONE MAN??  Easy.  It was a WOMAN’S job to go to the well to collect water.  A MAN doing it would certainly stand out.

They were to follow that man and ask the homeowner to show them the furnished upper guest room.  They did and found every detail as Jesus said.  They prepared all the necessary accouterments, besides the lamb, unleavened bread, and wine.

When the hour came, they were all there: Jesus and the twelve.

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Vss. 22:14-23.

Jesus really wanted to eat this Passover with His men, as it would be His last before the coming Kingdom … and before He was crucified.

After the meal, Jesus took the bread, and after giving thanks, broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given to you.  Do this in remembrance of me.

Then Jesus took the cup, gave thanks, and said, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”

Jesus then made a chilling announcement.  “But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me at 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 turned to each other in distress, asking which of them could DO THIS THING!  The eleven never suspected Judas. To them, he looked like a true disciple. The other gospels have the disciples each asking, “Is it I?”  Finally, Peter signaled to John to ask Jesus, and Jesus indicated Judas.  Then the betrayer left.

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Vss. 22:24-30.

Then these “fleshly fools” turned to each other and disputed who was the “greatest.”  Not the traitor, but the greatest disciple. jSEROIUSLY??

Jesus (after probably sighing) told them not to act like the Gentiles.  Rather, let the greatest become as the least, and the leader become the one who serves.   “I am one among you as the one who serves.  And, I assign to you that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

Whoa, that must have startled them.

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Vss. 22:31-34

Jesus must have noticed Peter looking pretty proud about then, and he said to his “big fisherman leader,”  “Simon, Simon, behold Satan demanded to HAVE you, that he might sift you like wheat…”  (WOW, was Judas the devil’s second choice??)

Jesus continued, “But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail, and when you have turned again (repented), strengthen your brothers.”  (Peter wouldn’t betray Jesus, but he would deny and curse Him.)

PETER:  “LORD, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death!!”

Jesus answered his pledge kindly, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day until you deny three times… that you know me.”

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Vss. 35-38.

Jesus reminded them, when He sent them out on mission trips, that they were to take nothing extra but live on what was given to them.

But NOW, he said, “Let the one who has a money bag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.  For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in ME … ‘and He was numbered with the transgressors (criminals).’ 

“What is written about me has its fulfillment.”

Yes, the disciples were confused. (I certainly would be!) They had no idea what Jesus was talking about, or what was to happen, beginning in just a few hours.  A couple of them said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords!”

Knowing they did not understand, I imagine Him sighing again, then saying: “It is enough.”  (enough of such talk)

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(One of those swords will appear in the following verses, tomorrow.)