Well I helped a friend move yesterday and had a very hard time finding direction for this lesson so bare with me as we just do some reading and comparison of the different last supper stories. Also thank you to the class this morning for being patient as I floundered with where I was a couple of times and wasn’t as clear as I normally try to be.

First thing I want to talk about is chronology. We do not know what order the events that happened at the Lord’s supper occurred in. We know they happened during the meal but we do not know if the argument over who will be greatest occurred before or after Jesus washing feet and when was Judas marked out as the traitor. We can guess and like an order but Matthew, Mark Luke, and John don’t give all the events in a chronological order but in a story flow order.

Second it was a long meal. 3 of the tellings use the phrase reclined at the table. According to John MacArthur who I do not agree with in everything but has a much larger knowledge of historical biblical times than me said that this refers to a meal eaten on couches with heads towards the table and feet away from the table. A very relaxed drawn out meal designed to garner conversation and contemplation not just about filling your stomach. This meal in particular isn’t one about filling stomachs the passover meal was about what God did for Israel, the meaning behind the different foods being eaten and the coming of the messiah.

Matthew 26:17-19 Jesus statement “my time is at hand” through Jesus ministry He kept saying “it is not my time” yet here He says His time is almost here. This is very interesting to think about.

Luke 22:7-13 Peter and John were to prepare the meal the other disciples know where the meal was taking place until they wen’t there with Jesus.

Mark 14:12-16 Gives the same information as Luke only the two disciples aren’t named.

John 13:1 John sums up the whole meal in one verse then goes back and fills in what happened during the meal in the fallowing versus. This is a clear example of what I mean that these are not written in chronological order.

We are going to look at the rest of the meal in the order of my choice first we are going to look at the start of the meal.

Matthew 26:20 not much to add there is the first example of reclining at table.

Mark 14:17-18a stop reading at the word “eating” 2nd example of reclining at table

John 13:2 first two words “during supper”

But I like Luke’s start it speaks to Jesus wanting to have this one last set of lessons to prepare the disciples Luke 22:14-18

I think that verse 16 has one of the most important lines in it. I in my research found quite a bit of teaching that this is the last passover. There needs not be another. This is the end of the passover celebration. The Jews only celebrate the passover because they denied Jesus as messiah. This little verse argues those ideas. Jesus doesn’t say I will never eat a passover again. No he says “not again until the kingdom is fulfilled.” What kingdom is He referring to? It is a reference to His reign here on earth. He is saying that during the thousand year reign He will again be partaking of the passover meal. What does the passover meal represent what is it a celebration of? The jews being freed of Egypt. The protection from judgment given through the blood of a sacrificial payment for sin. While the Jews celebrate the passover now in a look back at the freedom from Egypt. And we think of easter our coinciding holiday as a look back at Jesus death and resurrection during Jesus reign it will be a celebration of our kings mighty work on our behalf. I wonder if this is the only meat meal eaten in people’s homes during the kingdom?! But but as far as I know that isn’t an answerable question.

Let’s move on to the argument. It is only in Luke 22:24-30

So this is our scene everyone is reclining at table and they are supposed to be talking of the greatness of God and what He has done for Israel but somehow this has morphed into which of them was the best. In other scripture there are arguments over who will be greatest in the kingdom or heaven but this is an argument about right now whom is the best. I have a curiosity factor about what the argument may have been. Could it have been sparked by Jesus mention of one of them being a traitor or just an inclination to one-upmanship. Something like “I cast out 11 demons” says one and “well I walked into Jerusalem guiding Jesus donkey” another then “I walked on water” another replies “but you sank” and then “Jesus sent me to prepare the room we are in.” I have no idea but it makes me wonder.

Then we see Jesus exemplify His response to their argument in John’s account. John 13:5-11

I love Peter’s enthusiasm. I know a lot of people wonder what Peter was thinking and we don’t know but here is how I see it.

Peter asks “Are you going to wash my feet”

Jesus responds “you don’t understand but you will”

Peter embarrassed “No, don’t you shouldn’t ugh”

Jesus “If I don’t you are not mine”

Peter thinking this is somehow locking him into Jesus and His inheritance “Not just my hands but my head and hands I am all yours”

Jesus “this is a lesson you must learn as one of mine but not all who hear this lesson are mine”

I hope that helps you as much as much as thinking it out helped me. But now let’s here Jesus explanation of His lesson John 13:12-17

Then Jesus warns that His lesson wasn’t for all of them. Where earlier He says it to Peter now He tells the whole group. John 13:18-20

We now have Jesus tell them of the reward for the ones who have learned this lesson

Luke 22:28-30

Jesus comes out and tells them of His betrayal Luke 22:21-23 This is the verse that makes me think that Jesus talk of the betrayer may have started the argument over who is greatest. What I would like to point out is that there was no looking down to see who’s hands were on the table and saying “it’s you” Jesus was merely saying that it was someone eating with them that is why they started discussing it.

Mark 14:18b (starting with Jesus said)-21 Just need to point out that there was not someones hand in the bowl with Jesus when He says this. They still do not know who the betrayer is they just can eliminate any one who may be serving them or other people that may be in the building. So while the disciples know that it is one of their number that wouldn’t be able to figure out which one from this statement by Jesus.

John 13:21-30 Interesting little tidbit two disciples receive extra information John and Peter get told the one I dip and give the morsel to is the one who will betray me. In general conversation to the 12 he says essentially one I am at the table with or one I am eating with but here it is the one who I dip and give the morsel too. Then Jesus tells Judas to be about it and the other 9 assume because Judas holds the money box it something else is meant than what Jesus is meaning.

But what does Jesus say to Judas Matthew 26:21-25

Again the phrase one I dip my hand into the bowl with wouldn’t have given away exactly who because it would have meant all those eating with Him. Even Judas isn’t sure Jesus is referring to Him and has to ask.

Just something to think about John 13:2

So, Jesus accusation isn’t what causes Judas decide to betray Him he had already decided to do so Jesus just points it out.

So what else happens at this meal of events? A new ordinance is given. Luke 22:19-20

Not a lot of information given just a simple direct example of how to have a Lord’s Supper Service.

Mark 14:22-24

Mark adds in verse 25 (read) the part from Luke about never again partaking of the wine until the kingdom. This to me shows that during the kingdom we will continue to practice the Communion service as well.

John is silent on the Lord’s supper but by the time John is written 1 Corinthians 10 and 11 were written and Paul is thorough on it.

Matthew 26:26-28 Matthew adds on the part about the wine as well in verse 29 (read)

A new commandment is then givenJohn 13:31-35

And then another event with Peter John 13:36-38

Luke 22:31-34  Peter wants to so be a part of what Jesus is going on about. You can just feel it in his plea to be a part even to death. Jesus warns him of his disillusionment and in foretelling it Jesus ensures his path to return.

The disciples then are prepared to travel on Luke 22:35-38

What a spirit filled meal! I love how they ended it. Matthew 26:30

closing prayer