Passover With The Disciples
August 29, 2019
Commentary
Most Bible scholars believe that the events recorded in this passage took place on Thursday of Passion week. This was the first day of the seven-day Feast of the Unleavened bread and the day Passover lambs were sacrificed (Mark 14:12). It was necessary for Jesus and His disciples to find a place in crowded Jerusalem where they could celebrate the feast (v. 17). Jesus sent Peter and John to make these important preparations (Luke 22:8). They were to find a man carrying a pitcher of water and he would show them a large upper room (v. 18). Carrying water was “women’s work”, so a man carrying a jar of water would have stood out. To this day neither Scripture nor tradition provides the name of this man who so graciously provided them a place.
Besides finding a location, the two disciples had to purchase the food and prepare it for the Passover which probably took them most of the day (v. 19). When the disciples had nearly finished the meal, Jesus announced that one of the twelve would betray Him (vv. 20-21). As each one asked who it was, Jesus let Judas know that it was him and urged him to hurry up and do it (vv. 22-25). With this Judas went out into the night (John 13:30).
Then Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper where He took bread and wine and made them visible reminders of His body and blood that was soon to be shed for our remission of sins (vv. 26-29). This ordinance is to be commemorated by the church until He returns (I Cor. 11:23-26). The song the disciples sang may have been Psalms 115 through 118. The Lord’s Supper not only looks back to the sacrifice of Christ’s death, but it also looks ahead to His glorious reign. It both memorializes and anticipates the work of Christ.
Application
What does Communion mean? For many it is just a ritual that the church goes though once a month. The key words are "remember" and "give thanks" as I partake.
Matthew 26:17–29 (NET)
17 Now on the first day of the feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is near. I will observe the Passover with my disciples at your house.”’” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had instructed them, and they prepared the Passover. 20 When it was evening, he took his place at the table with the twelve. 21 And while they were eating he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.” 22 They became greatly distressed and each one began to say to him, “Surely not I, Lord?” 23 He answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for him if he had never been born.” 25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” Jesus replied, “You have said it yourself.”
26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after giving thanks he broke it, gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat, this is my body.” 27 And after taking the cup and giving thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood, the blood of the covenant, that is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, from now on I will not drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
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