The Last Supper: Instituting the New Covenant

 

Summary

In our exploration of Luke 22:7-23, we delve into the profound significance of the Last Supper, a pivotal moment in the life of Jesus and the history of the church. This passage recounts the preparation and celebration of the Passover meal, which Jesus earnestly desired to share with His disciples before His impending suffering. This meal was not just a traditional observance but a profound moment where Jesus instituted the New Covenant, symbolized by the bread and wine, representing His body and blood given for the remission of sins.

Jesus, fully aware of His impending sacrifice, understood the deep connection between the Passover and the Day of Atonement. Traditionally separated by six months, these two feasts were now intertwined within 24 hours, signifying the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The Passover, commemorating Israel's deliverance from Egypt, was a foreshadowing of the greater deliverance Jesus would accomplish through His death and resurrection.

The historical account from Exodus reminds us of the power struggle between Pharaoh and God, culminating in the final plague where the blood of the lamb protected the Israelites from the angel of death. This event was a precursor to the ultimate Passover, where Jesus, the Lamb of God, would offer Himself as the perfect sacrifice, ensuring eternal protection and redemption for all who believe.

The Day of Atonement, with its rituals and sacrifices, pointed to the need for a perfect atonement, which could only be fulfilled by Jesus. His death outside the city, in a place of darkness, symbolized the scapegoat bearing the sins of the people. This act of atonement was not just a symbolic gesture but the actual fulfillment of God's promise to redeem His people.

As believers, we are called to remember and celebrate this New Covenant, recognizing that our salvation is secured not by our efforts but by the atoning work of Christ. This truth should lead us to live in gratitude and obedience, knowing that our sins are covered, and we are reconciled to God through Jesus.

Key Takeaways:

- The Last Supper was a profound moment where Jesus instituted the New Covenant, symbolizing His body and blood given for the remission of sins. This act was a fulfillment of the Passover, pointing to the ultimate deliverance Jesus would accomplish through His sacrifice. [01:40]

- The connection between the Passover and the Day of Atonement highlights the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Jesus, the Lamb of God, offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice, ensuring eternal protection and redemption for all who believe. [05:22]

- The historical account of the Passover in Exodus serves as a powerful reminder of God's deliverance and protection. The blood of the lamb marked the Israelites' homes, sparing them from the angel of death, foreshadowing the ultimate Passover fulfilled in Christ. [09:02]

- The Day of Atonement, with its rituals and sacrifices, pointed to the need for a perfect atonement, which could only be fulfilled by Jesus. His death outside the city symbolized the scapegoat bearing the sins of the people, fulfilling God's promise to redeem His people. [17:05]

- As believers, we are called to remember and celebrate the New Covenant, recognizing that our salvation is secured not by our efforts but by the atoning work of Christ. This truth should lead us to live in gratitude and obedience, knowing that our sins are covered, and we are reconciled to God through Jesus. [20:27]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Reading of Luke 22:7-23
- [01:13] - Jesus' Desire for the Last Supper
- [02:28] - Institution of the Lord's Supper
- [03:48] - Jesus' Sacrificial Burden
- [05:04] - Passover and Day of Atonement Connection
- [06:11] - Historical Account of Passover
- [07:33] - The Battle of Powers
- [08:44] - The Blood of the Lamb
- [10:27] - Crossing the Red Sea
- [11:29] - The Greatest Act of Redemption
- [12:29] - Jesus' Final Passover
- [13:40] - Establishing the New Covenant
- [15:42] - Yom Kippur and Atonement
- [17:21] - The Irony of Atonement
- [19:10] - The Ultimate Atonement in Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Luke 22:7-23
- Exodus 12:7-13

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Observation Questions:

1. What specific instructions did Jesus give to Peter and John regarding the preparation of the Passover meal? ([00:28])
2. How did Jesus describe the bread and wine during the Last Supper, and what did they symbolize? ([01:40])
3. What was the significance of the blood of the lamb in the historical account of the Passover in Exodus? ([07:17])
4. How did Jesus link the Passover and the Day of Atonement during the Last Supper? ([05:22])

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why might Jesus have earnestly desired to eat the Passover with His disciples before His suffering? What does this reveal about His understanding of His mission? ([01:13])
2. How does the connection between the Passover and the Day of Atonement deepen the understanding of Jesus' sacrifice? ([05:22])
3. In what ways does the historical account of the Passover in Exodus serve as a foreshadowing of Jesus' ultimate sacrifice? ([07:17])
4. How does the concept of the New Covenant, as instituted by Jesus, differ from the Old Covenant practices described in the sermon? ([14:16])

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the significance of the Last Supper in your own life. How can you incorporate the remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice into your daily routine? ([01:40])
2. The sermon highlights the importance of gratitude and obedience in response to Jesus' atoning work. What are some practical ways you can express gratitude and live obediently this week? ([20:27])
3. Consider the historical account of the Passover and its symbolism. How can you apply the concept of "marking your home" with faith in your personal life? ([07:17])
4. The Day of Atonement involved a scapegoat bearing the sins of the people. How can you release burdens or sins you may be holding onto, trusting in Jesus as your ultimate scapegoat? ([17:05])
5. Jesus' sacrifice was described as the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. How does this understanding impact your view of salvation and your relationship with God? ([05:22])
6. Reflect on the idea of being ready to move from "slavery" to the "Promised Land" in your spiritual journey. What steps can you take to be prepared for God's leading in your life? ([09:56])
7. How can the practice of celebrating the New Covenant through communion deepen your faith and understanding of Jesus' sacrifice? ([14:16])

Devotional

Day 1: The New Covenant Instituted by Jesus
The Last Supper was a moment of profound significance where Jesus established the New Covenant. This act was not merely a continuation of the Passover tradition but a transformative moment that pointed to the ultimate deliverance Jesus would accomplish through His sacrifice. By offering the bread and wine as symbols of His body and blood, Jesus signified the remission of sins and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. This New Covenant invites believers to partake in the grace and forgiveness offered through Christ's atoning work. [01:40]

Hebrews 9:15 (ESV): "Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant."

Reflection: How does understanding the New Covenant change the way you approach communion and your relationship with Jesus today?


Day 2: The Fulfillment of God's Redemptive Plan
The connection between the Passover and the Day of Atonement highlights the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Jesus, as the Lamb of God, offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice, ensuring eternal protection and redemption for all who believe. This act of sacrifice was the culmination of God's promise to redeem His people, intertwining the themes of deliverance and atonement within a single day. The Passover, which commemorated Israel's deliverance from Egypt, foreshadowed the greater deliverance Jesus would accomplish through His death and resurrection. [05:22]

1 Peter 1:18-19 (ESV): "Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot."

Reflection: In what ways can you live out the reality of being redeemed by Christ's sacrifice in your daily interactions and decisions?


Day 3: The Power of Deliverance and Protection
The historical account of the Passover in Exodus serves as a powerful reminder of God's deliverance and protection. The blood of the lamb marked the Israelites' homes, sparing them from the angel of death, and foreshadowed the ultimate Passover fulfilled in Christ. This event underscores the significance of Jesus' sacrifice as the Lamb of God, whose blood ensures eternal protection and redemption for believers. As we reflect on this, we are reminded of the depth of God's love and the lengths He went to secure our salvation. [09:02]

Exodus 12:13 (ESV): "The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt."

Reflection: How can you actively remember and celebrate God's deliverance in your life, especially during challenging times?


Day 4: The Perfect Atonement Fulfilled by Jesus
The Day of Atonement, with its rituals and sacrifices, pointed to the need for a perfect atonement, which could only be fulfilled by Jesus. His death outside the city symbolized the scapegoat bearing the sins of the people, fulfilling God's promise to redeem His people. This act was not just a symbolic gesture but the actual fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. As believers, we are called to recognize the significance of this atonement and live in the freedom it provides, knowing that our sins are covered by Christ's sacrifice. [17:05]

Leviticus 16:30 (ESV): "For on this day shall atonement be made for you to cleanse you. You shall be clean before the Lord from all your sins."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to fully embrace the atonement of Christ and let go of guilt or shame?


Day 5: Living in Gratitude and Obedience
As believers, we are called to remember and celebrate the New Covenant, recognizing that our salvation is secured not by our efforts but by the atoning work of Christ. This truth should lead us to live in gratitude and obedience, knowing that our sins are covered, and we are reconciled to God through Jesus. Embracing this reality transforms our daily lives, encouraging us to walk in faith and reflect Christ's love to others. [20:27]

Colossians 2:13-14 (ESV): "And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross."

Reflection: How can you intentionally cultivate a heart of gratitude and obedience in response to the grace and forgiveness you have received through Christ?

Quotes


Jesus understood the link between two very important Festival occasions, established by God in the Old Testament, some six months apart. The most holy Feast was Yom Kippur, the day of atonement, and probably the second most holy was the celebration of the Passover. Again, in Old Testament days, those two feasts were divided by some six months. [00:04:35]

The historic occasion for the instituting of the Passover, there had been a battle of powers, the most powerful superpower in this world, the favor of Egypt, and the most powerful being in the universe, the Lord God omnipotent. And as these Titans clashed on earth and in heaven, plague after plague after plague. [00:07:26]

He told Moses and he said, look, you command the people to sacrifice a lamb and take the blood of that lamb and mark it on the doorposts and the lentils of your homes. Do not fail to Mark every home in which your children dwell. And when I send the angel of death of judgment on this world wherever he sees the mark of the Lamb, he will pass over that place. [00:08:44]

And so our Lord, who alone had the authority on Heaven and Earth, dared to change it, announced the establishing of a new covenant. He said this is the New Covenant now, which is in my blood, and that new covenant in my blood is by the shedding of My Blood for the remission of your sins. [00:13:36]

The annual celebration of Yom Kippur, the day of atonement, where elaborate preparations were made among the priesthood and among the people. Animals were killed in preparation for this event. The high priest and the high priest alone was able to enter the holy of holies, taking the blood of the sacrifice and sprinkling it on The Mercy Seat of the Ark of the Covenant. [00:15:42]

The idea was atonement was made in satisfaction of the Holiness of God in the holy of holies, while the removal of the people's sin was by virtue of the imputation of their sin to the back of the goat and sent into the outer Darkness. It wasn't by accident that Jesus was killed outside the city of Jerusalem, in a gentile place, in the place of Darkness. [00:16:36]

In all of Jewish history, there's only one day of atonement, not a single day of atonement celebrated in the Old Testament was in actuality a day of atonement. No atonement was made because the author of Hebrews tells us that the blood of bull and goats cannot atone for our sins. [00:17:41]

What was going on in the drama of Israel was a symbol, a symbol that pointed to a later full and perfect reality, when the sins of God's people would be satisfied once and for all, and that day of atonement happened the day after Passover, when once for all, the lamb without blemish was sacrificed on the cross. [00:18:11]

So it is Christ in the upper room, who is defined by sacred scripture as being the Paschal Lamb, where the scriptures say Christ Our Passover is sacrificed for us, so that when the angel of death would come, he would see the mark of the blood of the Lamb on The Souls of his people. [00:19:43]

For those who believe, who have put their trust in Christ and In Christ Alone, will not have to atone for their own sins and I remind you dear friends, that the day you die, there will be a reckoning, there will be a judgment, and you will either atone for your own sins, or you will receive the atonement that Christ made for your sins. [00:20:27]

The atonement that you seek to make by yourself will be worthless, it won't be worth as much as the blood of bulls or of goats, it will be futile, it will be useless, and as soon as he sees you, the angel of death will slay you, but for those who put their trust in Christ, his atonement will cover you. [00:21:02]

Today, tomorrow, and forever. [00:21:36]

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