Bible Commentaries

Never Forget Jesus" Sacrifice
- Luke Twenty-Two -

Luke gave some very vivid word pictures of Jesus" suffering at the hands of the Jews. Satan used covetousness to stir the heart of Judas to bargain with the Jewish leaders to betray Jesus. Judas pointed Jesus out to the Jews at a time when they could capture Him in the absence of the multitude. Jesus had Peter and John prepare the last Passover meal in the upper room for Himself and His disciples. He again reminded them that He would suffer for the sins of the world. It was during this time that Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper. The Lord's Supper was to be eaten in the kingdom or church. It is by this Supper that Jesus" sacrifice will never be forgotten. Luke writes an amazing history of those events that took place near the end of Jesus" earthly life. Jesus announced that one of His disciples would betray Him. Jesus settled His disciples" dispute over greatest in the kingdom. He taught them to be like the younger who would serve, rather than like a king who would lord it over others.

Jesus promised His faithful disciples that they would reign with Him in glory. He warned Peter that Satan would sift him as wheat. He also told him that when he was converted he should strengthen the brethren. Jesus informed Peter that he would deny Him three times. Jesus told the apostles that they would face hardships and persecution. As Jesus prayed in Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives Judas brought an armed crowd to arrest Him. He betrayed the Savior with a kiss. Jesus must have been attempting to get Judas to repent when He said, "Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?" As he was trying to defend Jesus Peter cut off the ear of Malchus, the high priest's servant. Jesus stopped him and healed Malchus" ear. Satan's kingdom of darkness was reigning when Jesus was arrested. It must have grieved Jesus when Peter denied Him three times and wept bitterly afterward. Jesus was mocked and beaten by the Jewish leaders. At daybreak when Jesus still declared that He is the Son of God, they condemn Him to death.

There was a plot to kill Jesus -- Luke 22:1-6 : The Jews were plotting to kill Jesus. They did not understand that His death would be a sacrifice for the sins of the world. The feast of unleavened bread or the Passover was drawing near. The chief priests and the teachers of the Law of Moses wanted to kill Jesus. They could not take Him openly because they feared the people. Satan used Judas to betray the Lord. The Jews paid him money to deliver Jesus to them when the people were not near. Judas found his opportunity to betray Jesus when the crowds were not around.

Passover and the Lord's Supper -- Luke 22:7-22 : Jesus sent Peter and John to prepare the last Passover meal. This would be the last time Passover would ever be observed with God's approval. Passover is not a part of God's New Covenant that began with the death of Jesus. (Hebrews 8-10) A man carrying a jar of water would direct them to the house where they were to make ready for the Passover. The room was a large, upstairs room that was prepared for this occasion. They found everything just as Jesus had told them, and they prepared the Passover meal. During the eating of the Passover meal Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper. The Lord's Supper assures us that Christians will never forget the sacrifice of Jesus for the sins of the world. Jesus said of the bread that He gave His disciples, "This is my body, which is given for you. Eat this as a way of remembering me!" He said of the cup or fruit of the vine, "This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you." His death had been determined as the atonement for our sins, "but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!"

Jesus and His disciples -- Luke 22:23-46 : The disciples had some interesting discussions about who would ever do such a thing as to betray Jesus. They also discussed who would be greatest in the kingdom. Jesus taught them that you are great and you lead by being a servant. Jesus had set the example for them; He had been with them as a servant. Jesus told Peter that Satan would shift him like wheat. Jesus prayed for Peter that his faith would be strong. Jesus knew that Peter would fail. He told Him that when he came back to Him he should strengthen the brethren. Peter could not believe that he would deny the Lord. Yet Jesus said, "I tell you that before a rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will say three times that you don"t know me." Jesus had taken care of the disciples when he sent them out with nothing and He will continue to care for them. Jesus also told the disciples to get a sword. The disciples already had two swords. Jesus prayed a fervent prayer in the garden, so much so that His sweat fell as great drops of blood to the ground. God sent "an angel unto Him from heaven, strengthening Him." During this time the disciples slept. Jesus asked them ""Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation."

Jesus was arrested, defended, denied, questioned and condemned -- Luke 22:47-71 : While Jesus was in the garden Judas led a multitude to take Him. He identified Jesus with a kiss. In an effort to cause Judas to see his sins Jesus asked him, "Are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" When the other disciples saw what was happening they asked, "Lord, shall we smite with the sword?" Peter even struck at the high priest's servant with his sword and cut off the servant's right ear. Jesus said that was enough of that. He then touched the servant's ear and healed it. Jesus asked the multitude why they came for Him in this manner as He had been openly with them. This was just a dark time when Satan though he had won! Jesus was arrested and led away to the house of the High Priest. Peter followed at a distance. Later he did deny Jesus three times that night. How it must have hurt his heart when the Lord turned and looked at him. Peter went out and wept bitterly. They made fun of Jesus, insulted Him and beat Him. Jesus was questioned but He gave very few answers. He did not answer because the people would not believe Him. He did give them one proof statement that He is the Messiah, "the Son of man will sit on the right hand of the power of God."

Jesus is the Son of God. He died for your sins. To become a Christian you must hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus as the Christ (Mark 16:16), repent of all sins (Acts 17:30), confess Christ as Lord (Romans 10:9-10) and be baptized for remission of sins. (Acts 2:38) After baptism remain faithful to God. (Revelation 2:10) Jesus, the Son of man, now sits "on the right hand of the power of God." Honor Him with your daily life.