Turn now, if you will, in your Bibles to Luke chapter 22. Luke chapter 22 found on page 1121. Luke chapter 22. We're looking today at verses 14 to 23. And when the hour came, he reclined at table and the apostles with him. And he said to them, I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.' And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, Take this and divide it amongst yourselves. For I tell you that from now on, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes. And he took bread. And when he had 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. And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, this cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on 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 began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this." This morning as we explore this portion of God's Word together, we will look first at this desire of Christ that is put before us that we might better understand it. What was it that stirred the heart of our loving Savior to enjoy this intimate gathering with his disciples? And secondly, we're going to look at this warning to a betrayer. So these will be the two things that we will delve into here this morning. You may recall from last week when Christ tasked two of his disciples to go forth and to prepare a place for the Passover. All of those pilgrims had been traveling over those preceding days and weeks to Jerusalem for this very occasion that they might celebrate together the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the Passover in obedience to God's command. A great assembly of God's people called together for that purpose of recalling what God had so lovingly accomplished long ago. Something that he had tasked them to observe each year from the time they had come forth from Egypt to recall what it was. that God had done, the great lengths that He had gone to take a people who had cried out to Him from a situation of captivity, being imprisoned, being made captive and delivering them through great and mighty miracles and seeing them safely through wanderings for 40 years in the wilderness into a place that was to be for them their inheritance, a land flowing with milk and honey, something that was to be for them a foretaste of heaven, a glimpse into something far greater. And that whole account of the exodus, of the mighty works of God, of the delivery of his people, now this side of the accomplished work of Christ, we look back at that and we note in it that it was itself but a mere shadow of something that was far greater that was being held out. for the people of God to contemplate, serving as a reminder of that promise I've already referenced in Genesis 3.15 of what God would do for those who were perishing in their sin. And I mention these things because these would have been even in the thoughts of Christ That one who knew full well what the coming hours would hold for him. That one who knowingly from the time he was sent forth into the world, humbling himself, taking upon himself the form of a man, coming into this world as an infant, growing up amongst sinners, seeing and experiencing the frustrations of God's glorious creation under the weight of sin, yet himself without sin. That one who went forth as he has reminded his disciples time and again, given the task by God to seek and to save sinners, prepared to endure every pain and misery One, that he might in obedience to God accomplish that mission. And two, as an expression of his love for those whom the Father had given him. And so as the Feast of Unleavened Bread and now the Passover Feast is before him, we see now they have descended upon that place prepared by John and Peter. The smell of that lamb that had been roasted permeating that place that they had gathered. And in the quiet of that upper room, Christ and his disciples, here Luke notes them as the apostles have gathered and are reclining at table. This table that has been prepared is not a long straight table. This table that was prepared was often laid out in the formation of a U. And we've already read about those who would seek for themselves the positions of honor at the table. And most scholars would agree that the positions of honor often were found if we were facing the open end of that U-shaped table. On the left-hand side, the first three positions at that table would have been those positions of honor around the table. And as we will be looking at this occasion over the coming weeks, we get a sense of who is in each position at that table. And that those first three positions around the table were likely occupied by the beloved disciple, Jesus and Judas. Those three would have been in closest proximity to Christ as this Passover was being observed, as they reclined at table together. And as he has brought his disciples together, Christ lays out his heart, explains to him that it has long been his earnest desire to eat this Passover with you. It is likely this would have been the first Passover that Christ himself was in charge of presenting, taking the leadership of the celebration of the Passover. Something like the head of a household would typically be called upon to do. So this would have been a special occasion for Christ. for several reasons, one of which it is his opportunity to invite those who are closest to him to celebrate this great time of thanksgiving for what God had done. Now I mentioned earlier that Christ would also have had his mind occupied with the things that are soon to come to pass. And this would have represented the quiet before the coming storm for Christ. And we've already seen and noted that he went to great lengths to ensure this time could happen that even though he was aware that one from his most intimate gathering of disciples had already determined in his heart and set in motion plans that he would be betrayed, Christ had taken steps to ensure that those ill intent, that ill intent would not be satisfied before he had the opportunity to institute something of lasting value and import to his disciples. That is part of this expression of his earnest desire, the great lengths that he has gone to plan and ensure that this would come to pass. But also, also this one who is aware of what the coming hours will involve and the pain that he will suffer, and the shame that he will endure upon the cross, having himself, one without sin, been hung among those who are sinners. As he thinks of these things that are coming, would himself be benefited by recalling the faithfulness of God. Of recalling that which he had known having been ever present with the Father. That glorious plan that he had to overcome the brokenness of his creation through the work of Christ. That Jesus Christ himself as he faces the specter of these sufferings here delights to recall that God is in control and that his glorious plans cannot be thwarted by the plans of evil men. Often we have heard of the Psalms, the book of Psalms, as being described as the diary of Jesus. For within it we see the emotions, the attitudes, the recollections, the meditations of Christ put before us that sustained him as he engaged in singing the Word of God, meditating upon it, praying that Word of God to sustain him in his work. Luke goes to great lengths within his gospel to remind us time and time and time again of Christ's pattern of excusing himself and going to a quiet place that he might engage in prayer with his heavenly Father. And these were the mechanisms by which Christ would be himself, strengthened, emboldened, where he might be ministered to by his loving Father. And so a part of this earnest desire that Christ exhibits here is that he too, as he celebrates the Passover with his beloved disciples, is himself being reminded of these things, of the unchangeable character of God as he faces the coming difficulties, persecutions, mockings, and even death. I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer." Jesus sees here another opportunity in preparation of his beloved disciples to draw together those things that had served as shadows of a greater reality that they might benefit This would be especially meaningful to them as soon they would behold, as Christ had said would soon happen, the destruction of Jerusalem and many of those things that had been part of the celebration of the Passover will no longer even be possible. For no longer will there be an altar. where a lamb may be slain. These things he is impressing upon them that they may see how something that had been observed annually by the people of God will continue to be observed and remembered by his beloved disciples, his followers in the years that would proceed from his coming sacrifice. And so this is another expression of his love for his disciples that he celebrate this Passover and use this opportunity to hear, begin to explain to them how going forward elements of this celebration will be utilized and how it is they will represent what the coming hours will show them. And so we see as he expresses this desire to eat this Passover before he suffers, he is reminding them again of what he has already stated, that his time is drawing to an end upon the earth. He will not continue to be with them indefinitely upon the earth. That it is about the time for his sufferings to begin. And if he left it with that, most of their attention may be upon what they are soon to lose. But Christ chooses instead to look ahead. Christ gives to them something to be held out before them to look forward to as he is looking forward to it. In verse 16 he tells his disciples, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God. He is impressing upon his disciples the nearness of his death and resurrection and ascension. He is explaining to them that this intimate time that they are together is special for what it represents, the last opportunity that Christ will engage in this feast until the kingdom of God has been fulfilled. And he holds this out, again, as a way to impress upon his disciples and to impress upon you and I that the plans of God cannot be thwarted. That Christ could make a promise such as this, that he will not enjoy it again until the kingdom of God is fulfilled. That his disciples would realize that it is as good as done. Such are the promises of God. If they are made, they will be fulfilled. And that as they would soon be confronted with the departure of their beloved teacher, their beloved Savior, that they would recall that this is not yet the end. Rather, this is but that period of time The age of the church in which our ascended Lord sits at the right hand of God until he comes again in power to judge the living and the dead. We note here he took a cup and he gives thanks over it and gives to them instruction, take this cup and divide it amongst yourselves. And we see here that he continues to elaborate upon what it is, what it is that makes this occasion special and what he is prepared to do until his work has been completed. And brothers and sisters, I bring up again and again that image of Revelation 6, where we see those four horsemen of the apocalypse. And of note is that first horse, that white horse whose rider bears upon his head a crown, and he is described as a conqueror who is conquering nations, that that serves for you and I a picture of what it is that Christ is about today as he is building his church, conquering nations by the gospel that is being proclaimed. And this is what Christ is about today as he labors to this end, as he is building the church, waiting for that last soul to be made new, put in its place, that that place that he is preparing would be ready, that he might come again in glory. He tells them, for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes. And he moves on then to the bread. He took the bread and when he had 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. Now if you would go into Alfred Edersheim's book, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, he lays out in great detail all of the various cups that were used in the Passover, all of the various things that would have comprised that Passover meal. And yet we see here that Christ does not reassign a new value to everything that had been in it that they would continue to utilize each and every part going forward. As I mentioned earlier on, as the disciples would have arrived at that upper room, their nostrils would have been filled with the aroma of that lamb that had been slain and then roasted that would have been a part of that Passover dinner. And yet you notice that's absent, isn't it, from the list of the elements that would comprise their engaging in remembering this feast together. And there's a reason for that. There wouldn't be continued sacrifice of lambs. For what was about to take place represented the fulfillment of all of those types and signs of every sacrifice that had preceded it. That that unblemished lamb would soon be slain. That lamb who was most well suited to do what the mere blood of countless other lambs had been unable to finally and fully accomplish. So we don't see that as being held out as a part of what would comprise our celebration of the Lord's Supper because our celebration of the Lord's Supper is itself a recognition of these things that Jesus Christ draws out for his disciples, for you and I, to understand from these coming events. Holding out before us the bread. and breaking it, that we would be reminded each and every time that we partake in it of the body of Christ that was broken for me and for you, all who call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. He endured that for us. And so He holds out before His disciples these representations, these elements that they might instruct His beloved disciples. And at the time they still don't fully recognize and understand these things. It will be later that these things will be understood. And yet there's something else that we see from this. Whereas that celebration of the Passover would only happen once, we know that the people of God, just like ourselves here, enjoy the celebration of the Lord's Supper more than merely once a year. Out of a desire that we might be reminded of these things, of what it is Christ was prepared to do for us as sinners, of the benefits of His great sacrifice. that we might enjoy the grace that he is pleased to bestow upon us each and every time that we partake in this sacrament. This is my body which is given for you. At the core of why he endured these things, we know that it was that he might fulfill that which God had sent him to do. But we are being reminded here of the love of our Savior for those who are his. I did this for you. Do this in remembrance of me. As his people would soon be scattered throughout the Roman Empire after Jerusalem would fall, This would grow in its meaning to them and its importance to them as it served for them an important reminder of the work of Christ. It served as a reminder of his love for them. That as things familiar would pass, this would continue to be observed and be meaningful to them. After he had shared with them the bread, likewise the cup after they had eaten, he says, this cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. Now he lays out before them the significance of all that he will endure, the significance of the blood that he is prepared to spill for them. He begins to draw together some of those images from that occasion of the Passover in Egypt where the lamb was slain and the blood of the lamb was painted upon the doorposts and the lentil marking all those who were the Lord's. That that angel of death would pass over. Here, Christ says, this wine, this cup, signifies my blood that was spilt for you. Again, whereas the types and shadows represented God delivering them out of captivity to the nation of Egypt, delivering them from Pharaoh, now Christ holds out before them the cup that they might realize He is accomplishing something of far greater importance to every man, woman, and child whom the Father has given Him. Delivering them from condemnation. delivering them from sin, his blood being that which would wash away all their transgressions and leave them who believe in Christ standing before God as those now made righteous in the righteousness of the Lamb, that unblemished one. What a beautiful thing we see Christ here setting before His disciples, defining for them anew something that was familiar, giving to this occasion importance, and commending it to them going forward. That these two things, the bread and the cup, that wine that was spilt, representing His blood, be ever before them as reminders of that which He is about to undertake for them and for you." This was meaningful to Christ. Christ is here just like we see in Psalm 103. where the psalmist has to recall the various good things that God has done in order that he might be lifted up. Christ here is sharing these things, laying out before his beloved disciples what will soon take place and what it means. For it would also lift his spirits as well as he grows ever closer to accomplishing the mission. And yet, as he is explaining this beautiful feast, as he is assigning meaning to these elements, as he is holding out before them what will ultimately happen when he comes again in glory, yet there is one who reclines at table beside him. whose thoughts are only upon the world, whose ears are only attentive to the things that will hopefully enrich him, that one who is looking to carry out that unholy bargain that he has made with the religious leaders of the day. And Christ speaks of these beautiful and wonderful things as yet another opportunity that the good news is being laid out before one who is in darkness. And yet, That one is consumed with the things of the world, that one continues in darkness though he was familiar to him. And Christ addresses them in verses 21 to 23, but behold the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. As Christ acknowledges these things, he's aware of the intent of Judas. He knows by whose hand he will soon be betrayed. And as he acknowledges this, yet again Luke preserves for Theophilus. You remember Theophilus from chapter one, that one who underwrote Luke's writings. His intent from the very beginning was that Theophilus might know these things to be true. And so Luke takes opportunity here to further explain to him and to explain to you and I that though Christ knows what is soon to take place, these things are in accord with the plan of God. Verse 22, for the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, even though that one who rests with him at table, reclines with him at this table, and is lifting his hand with him to enjoy this feast, Christ says, you, my disciples, need to understand that all that is happening and all that is soon to take place is in accord with what the prophets have prophesied concerning me. These things don't happen to God unaware, but that we would understand that those promises that Christ has made that he will come again and there is yet to be another great feast at which all who call upon the name of Christ will sit at the table with him. A feast just as he had desired earnestly to sit with his disciples and enjoy the Passover with them. Christ looks today with great expectation to what is soon to come When he comes in power and sets before all those who are his that wedding feast of the Lamb. When all who trust in him will enjoy that great table and what it represents as the fulfillment of all the promises of God realized for those who believe. And so he holds out that promise saying the son of man goes as it has been determined. And yet he also reminds us of what befalls those who war against him. Those whose hearts have not been enlivened. Those who continue either to feign some kind of religiosity but do not know Christ, or all those who continue openly to wave their fists at him and to war against him. Woe to that man by whom he is betrayed. Here we see the significance of what that act represents as it is signifying sin, as it represents that which had been our nature. All of us who came into this world steeped in sin, whose nature was controlled by sin under the sway of Satan, until God was pleased to do a good work, to take hearts of stone and make them hearts of flesh, to change a nature that was bent on disobedience and instead puts within us a heart that delights to obey the Lord. Whoa. to that man by whom he is betrayed. We're soon going to see a representation of such betrayal when Christ is put on display alongside a murderer before a vast throng of people. And the question is put before them, who would you rather have? And we see the darkness of hearts steeped in sin as they cry out not give us Jesus the king but give us Barabbas, give us that one of the world, give us that one who is like us. who walks in darkness. Woe to that man by whom he is betrayed. Now, as we come to the end of this short passage, we see that after Christ has spoken about these things, after he has acknowledged that there is one even in this intimate gathering who is prepared to betray him, that it stirs his disciples to ask many questions. And we're going to see next week as we look at the kinds of things that proceed from the seriousness of this matter of the one who would betray him and the woe that has been issued by Christ soon is displaced out of selfish concerns for who will occupy the positions of honor. again giving to us glimpses of hearts that are yet being refined, made new and of understanding that is yet to develop. So in verse 23, they began to question one another which of them it could be who was going to do this. Clearly they didn't have a clue, they didn't foresee these things. but soon it will be made clear to them. Let's look to him in prayer.